Local libraries still prove to be a viable service in the community, according to data presented by Bell County Library District representative Jeannna Cornett during the Sept. 11 Bell County Fiscal Court meeting.

Cornett addressed the court with some stats on the work and services public libraries provided to the community last year.

According to the data, Bell County libraries had 102,495 visitors and made 131,579 e-books available for patrons.

Physical books have not slide by the wayside in the advent of e-books, though, as 37,309 books were checked out in the last past.

Bell County libraries also held 647 programs attended by 14,782 people — an average of 12 people programs each week.

One of the most surprising bit of statistics, one Judge-Executive Albey Brock noted was a rather big deal — was that libraries provided 20,525 users with wireless internet access. With the internet being a necessity more and more in every day life, any opportunity for a business to offer people use of the internet can be seen a needed public service.

The local book mobile went out for 4,792 visits to senior centers, adult day care facilities and to homes of people who cannot otherwise visit a local library in person.

Libraries in both Middlesboro and Pineville were open for 2,346 hours and helped 2,106 people learn to use computers and other electronic resources.