FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Heather O'Connell
              (239) 461-2924 or hoconnell@leegov.com

FORT MYERS, Fla., December 1, 2003- The Lee County Library System celebrates the launch of the Florida Electronic Library, Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. Secretary of State Glenda E. Hood says the collection of free databases and live reference services will be available to all Florida residents.

"Through the Florida Electronic Library, all Florida residents can have access to an array of library services that no single community in Florida could afford independently," says Secretary of State Hood. "It represents a partnership with local communities and assures equity of information services for all Florida's residents, no matter where they live."

The Florida Electronic Library is a Web site offering databases that provide access to electronic magazines, newspapers, almanacs, encyclopedias, books, and documents as well as one-on-one online assistance from professional librarians. The site can be used to research current events and gather information regarding health topics, business, homework help, and more.

"We're particularly proud of the Florida Electronic Library's 'Ask a Librarian' service, which will allow real-time chat to provide answers to users' information requests," says State Librarian Judith A. Ring. "Librarians will be able to guide users through Web searches and interact with them online."

Access is being provided through the Florida Electronic Library Web site (http://www.flelibrary.org) and through the web sites of Florida's public libraries.

The Florida Electronic Library is the result of statewide collaboration between public, academic, private, and special libraries and is funded by a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant administered by the Florida Division of Library and Information Services, Florida Department of State.

All Lee County Library System locations will be decorated with balloons and posters on Tuesday, promoting the new service.

In addition to this new statewide service, the Lee County Library System offers E-reference help in English and Spanish at www.lee-county.com/library. Click on Ask A Librarian or Pregúntele al Bibliotecario. Answers are available within 48 hours. Telephone Reference is also available at (239) 479-4636 (INFO).