Orange Beach Public Library

The Orange Beach Public Library is a public library in south Baldwin County, Alabama.

History

The Orange Beach Public Library was established in 1992 and started operations with 3,000 donated books. Marsha Owens was hired as the first director and started in June. Orange Beach Public Library is the first library in the county to be born digital. Foregoing the paper card catalog, the library contracted with The Library Corporation to have an automated library system installed.

The library began offering free internet access to the public in 1995 via two personal computers acquired through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and one provided by the Baldwin County Library Cooperative. Orange Beach Public was the first library in Baldwin County to offer internet access to library patrons.In 1999 the library was awarded a Blue Ribbon for Excellence from the Alabama Library Association [ [http://allanet.org/ Alabama Library Association ] ] , the first library in the state to receive this award.

In 2002 Bonnie Lee was hired as the second director upon the retirement of Ms. Owens.

The Orange Beach Public Library is a technologically-advanced library and in 2003 began offering free wireless internet to the public around the clock, the first library in the State of Alabama to do so.The Orange Beach Public library began offering free downloadable audio books to patrons in 2004, another first in the state. In 2007 the library began offering a free online remote access, language learning program.

Collections

The library is a participating member of the Baldwin County Library Cooperative which harnesses the resources of twelve public libraries around the county for local use. The Orange Beach Public Library houses more than 36,839 books; 2,250 audio books; 150 e-books; 480 music CDs; 2161 DVDs and 650 VHS tapes, covering a variety of subjects.

Today the library occupies a wonderful new building on Wolf Bay. It houses a large collection of books, videos and audio books. The library continues to offer a variety of reading, writing, and storytelling programs for adults and children through in-house programs and outside lecturers.

Sources

* McDonough, B. (Ed.). (2006-2007). American Library Directory, (Vol.1). (59th ed.). Medford, N.J.: Information Today, Inc.
* McLeod, A. (2006) Growths, Strengths & Endurances: A Historical Review of the Orange Beach Public Library. Un-published master’s thesis, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

External links

*http://www.orangebeachlibrary.org