While Douglas County’s three library branches have embraced technology and continue to offer more services as the public demands, checking out books — yes, real books — remain most popular, according to County Library Director Lindy Moore.

“Internet access and computers are the biggest changes in the last 10 years,” she explained. “A large percentage of the population may have a computer at home, but may not have Internet access and software applications.

“We try to keep up with the latest software,” said Moore.

“With the introduction of e-books, which launched in October, it is drawing new people who may have not used the library before.”

Moore noted the e-book collection is now more than 1,300 titles, with additional titles added each month.

Patrons can check out e-books from a 3M Cloud library “from home, anywhere with access to wi-fi” said Moore.

“Patrons can check out one book at a time for up to two weeks,” she added. “It can be renewed if it is not on hold.”

There are no late fees for e-books, explained Moore, as the e-books will disappear from a patron’s device at two weeks.

Part of the West Georgia Regional Library System made up of libraries in Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, Heard and Paulding counties, the Douglas County, Lithia Springs and Dog River branches are ranked first, third and fifth respectively in both circulation and patron count, said the library director.

At the Douglas County branch alone, 256,144 patrons visited in 2012 and 202 programs were conducted.

More computer access and free classes will be held beginning in March due to a grant of $27,000 from the Tides Foundation through the Google Data Center in Dougas County.

Five computer stations, as well as the equipment and supplies for a 10-station mobile laptop computer lab have been purchased to conduct free computer classes at the Douglas County and Lithia Springs branches.

The libraries offer much more than books or e-books. Audio books, new releases in DVDs and the newest releases in music are also available.

The Douglas County branch is holding “Blind Date with a Book” on Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. This is part of an effort to build support to reinstate the Friends of the Library program at this branch, said Moore. Currently, Dog River is the only location where a Friends of the Library program exists, said Moore.