Dec 29, 2005

INFORMATION RELEASE            

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

Check out computer software @ your library

FORT MYERS, (Fla., Dec. 29, 2005) In addition to books, videos, CDs and DVDs, library patrons may check out computer software from any Lee County Library System location starting January 4, 2006.

The software collection includes a wide selection of programs for a variety of ages and interests, such as:

Educational Games for children (including: Jump Start, Disney, Dora the Explorer, and the Magic School Bus)
           
Test Preparation for teens and adults (including: SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, Citizenship Test)
            
Business Programs (including: Excel, Office, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, business and career planning, resumes, etc.)
                       
Legal Resources (including: wills, copyright, etc.)

Learning Programs for math, languages, music, science (including space and underwater exploration)

Art Programs (including: virtual tours of museums and collections, and resources for interior decorating and design)

Guides to National Parks, terrain guides for various states, and travel related information such as weather programs
           
Home Improvement (including: gardening, landscaping and related items like household budgeting and car care)

Music and Hobbies (including: flight simulators, feng shui, bird identification, scrapbooking, digital photography, movie making, wedding planning, genealogy materials, animal training and how to play guitar or piano)

Bible reference

Sports and Games (including: skateboarding, golf, baseball, NBA basketball and card games) and current, popular computer games

The software collection allows patrons to try the programs on their home computers. Programs may not be installed on library computers. 

"Software can be checked out for 4 weeks. That allows computer users time to determine if a particular program will meet their needs so they can make informed decisions on their software purchases," said Deb Czarnik, Lee County Library System Technical Services Manager.

Each software case is labeled to indicate its operating system, system requirements, and format (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM) as well as any supporting items such as CDs and DVDs. Items are also shelved and marked according to the intended user age (juvenile, teen or adult).

Czarnik says patrons already familiar with computers and software should find the items easy to use.

"Some software requires codes to install; these codes are printed on the disks themselves. Patrons experiencing any technical difficulties, or with any questions about the software should contact the technical support e-mail address or phone number provided in the software packaging or instructional materials." Czarnik explained, adding that library staff will not provide technical support. Patrons without knowledge in how to use software should seek out basic training.

The software collection is original commercial software and cannot be copied or written over, so they are virus and spyware free, however use of the collection is "at your own risk." 

Although library checkouts of software are legal and covered under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright law, all software in the library collection carries a warning of copyright restrictions, alerting patrons that there are restrictions for copying software. Patrons are also responsible for replacement costs for any lost or damaged software.

Some items in the software collection may be renewed for an additional 2 week check out time, by calling Telephone Reference (239) 479-INFO (4636) or by visiting the library online at the Lee County Library System website www.lee-county.com/library and clicking "Catalog Search" and then "My Account".

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