October 27, 2000

CONTACT:   Linda Holland, Community Relations Coordinator
                       Lee County Library System
                       479-4629, 479-4631 fax

Musical compact discs will be available for check out Nov. 1 at all Lee County Library System branches, announced Cynthia Cobb, Library Director.

The initial circulating CD collection will total about 3,750, she said, with the larger libraries having start-up collections of 450 discs. Musical CDs for children make up about one fourth of the unique titles in the collection. Library card holders will be able to check out as many as five musical CDs for a two-week period, Cobb said.

Seeking a balanced collection, Lee County librarians have purchased a variety of types of music: classical, country, rock, jazz, opera, New Age, rhythm and blues, pop, gospel, folk, and soundtracks.

Sally Sartain Jane, Head of Adult Collection Development, said efforts were made to have "a balanced collection of a little bit of everything everywhere. We welcome suggestions for additional purchases from patrons and staff at each library site so that they can find what they want conveniently."

The Lee County Library System also will be introducing books on CD soon, Jane said.