The Texas Library Association reported this week that Texans love their libraries. A telephone survey of 1,201 registered voters revealed that an overwhelming majority believe that their public libraries are important assets in their communities.

The librarian and patrons at the county’s Dennis O’Connor Public Library Tuesday morning couldn’t agree more.

“About 20 people come to use the computers each day,” said Sharon Baugh, librarian. “One of the computers is set up with educational games for the kids. They can’t access the internet so parents can be confident their children can play the games in a safe environment.”

The library was closed Tuesday to upgrade its computer software to improve the automated system used to check out books and materials. The new cards will be provided to first-time patrons.

“The old library cards will still work; however, those residents who have misplaced or don’t have a card will be issued the first one free,” Baugh said.

After the first card is issued, a fee for replacement cards is $1.50. Baugh says she hopes the new system will encourage even more people to come to use the library. Residents arrived steadily at the local library on Monday. Like the TLA survey revealed, libraries are crucial, especially during hard times.

The vast majority of Texans in the survey believe that public libraries support the economy through job skills training, career and job information and resources for local business.

The Leal family of Woodsboro visit the library every day.

“This library is very important to us and a vital part of the community,” Anna Leal said. “It’s my home away from home and my right hand.”

Anna home-schools her teenage son Asaph Leal. She accesses materials off the internet for Asaph’s education. They have a computer at home but the dial-up method is slow. The computers at the library have multiple computers with high-speed internet. so Anna her son’s are able work at the same time.

“We’ll do anything that will help the library, we donate books, volunteer, we feel that strongly about it,” Anna says.

Her son Azariah Leal is taking courses through the University of Phoenix in a distance learning program. He is studying computer networking and digital graphics.

“I don’t want to end up with a degree in a field where I can’t find a job,” Azariah said.

Distance learning is a good fit for Azariah. In addition to his studies, Azariah has a part-time job with his father who works in construction.

Another resident was busy working at another computer. She is an avid reader and says she has been visiting the library for much of her life.

“This library is a beneficial asset for literacy,” said Luella Torres. “I can resource any book in the network with my library card. It’s like having 12 library cards.”

Baugh says the library is continuously changing. New books, magazines and newspapers arrive daily, old books are weeded out and sold to the public for $1 and magazines go for 25 cents.

“We have a reading program every Tuesday for pre-schoolers from 10 to 11 for children of any age that are not in school,” Baugh said.