Love to see the growth of information access in the eye of one library system. Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. The West Sherburne Tribune reports that business in the libraries are booming from all sides but especially online…

Internet service shows even more dramatic growth, from 134,000 patron Internet sessions in 2004 to 264,000 in 2009, a 97 percent increase. “When GRRL first got Internet computers, most households didn’t have them, and it was a much-needed service,” said Karen Pundsack, Patron Services Coordinator. “Now, even though many households have computers, it’s still an in-demand service. It’s even more important in our rural areas where high-speed and wireless are not as accessible. The library is the only wireless hotspot in some of our smaller branch communities.”