LISNews: Librarian News

Computers in libraries are helping patrons from foreign countries communicate with home, learn English and use the library more, according to this story from New Jersey's Home News Tribune.

"Somerville's research librarian, Jim Sommerville, said patrons use the computers to communicate with friends and family in Russia, Poland, Japan, India, Korea, China, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda and numerous European and Central and South American countries.

"It's a lifeline," he said."

Furthermore, "Libraries are becoming community centers rather than just repositories," according to Cindy Czesak, past president of the New Jersey Library Association and director of the Paterson Public Library.