The Harlan County Public Library will be adding two more public access computers, giving them a total of eight computers. In addition to this, they now have many online services available for use, including the Kentucky Virtual Library.

According to Richard Haynes, director of the Harlan County Public Library Systems, the Harlan library has an average of 30 people per day who use their public access computers.

“We have a large reference system available online now,” said Haynes. “Our computers now have access to the Kentucky Virtual Library, which includes EBSCO, a magazine data base.”

Haynes said everyone with a library card has access to the online services, which allow for searches from magazine articles, World Book, homework help and Kentucky libraries unbound.

“You can access all this information on our homepage at harlancountylibrary.org,” said Haynes. “Look at the links on the right side of the page. You will need your library card number to access these sites. If you visit the Kentucky Virtual Library site you will have to call the library and they will provide you with a user code that associates you with the Harlan Library. The library will then give you a password that will change every three months. You can then use this service at your home.”

Haynes said while you are on the library’s online homepage, you can view the entire collection of books available in the library to see if a book is in or out, or if they have a particular book. Haynes said the library is a member of Kentucky Libraries Unbound, and users may now download at home, through their portal, full length unabridged books, videos and music, which could then be put on an

MP3 player.

According to Haynes, the library will be adding Heritage Quest online within a month. Haynes said users would then be able to download this at home with your library card. Haynes said they already have Ancestry.com available.

“We are a wonderful resource,” said Haynes. “We’d love to have more people use us. We have things people don’t realize that we have, so many resources online now, and we want people to use them.”

Along with the online services, Haynes reminds everyone they have tens of thousands of books, a growing DVD selection and some VHS movies to check out. They have a new children’s section with 8,000 to 10,000 juvenile books available. Haynes said the library has a new teen section now, with book selections geared specifically to the wants and needs of teenagers. Along with books, Haynes said the library has a video game selection and hopes to start video game tournaments in the future for teens.

“We have a wonderful Bookmobile service,” said Haynes. “Joann Boggs does a great job. She drives from one end of Harlan County to the other. We have approximately 1,200 books on board, and if anyone needs something she doesn’t have she will get it and bring it back to them.”

According to Haynes, the library also has a stationary Bookmobile in Evarts. He said they eventually hope to have a permanent building there.

Not only does the Harlan Public Library have books, but they also have a community room. Haynes said this room, which seats approximately 60 people, is available to anyone in the community. The only restriction is they cannot buy or sell anything at the meetings. Haynes said a data projector is available in the room, and they had movie nights in the room in the past.

“We just want everyone to take advantage of the many free services that are available to the general public,” said Haynes.