The St. Clair County Extension office unveiled its second informational kiosk in the state on Thursday evening. The location chosen for the new technology was the Ragland Library.

The first kiosk of this kind is located in the Moody Public Library. These kiosks are two of the three that will be placed in libraries by the Extension office. Both offer the same informational benefits to their differing communities.

The kiosk was funded by the Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council. Representatives attended the unveiling ceremony to present the grant check to Extension staff. The kiosk is viewed as a valuable asset to the library and the community.

“It means everything for us to be selected,” Library Director Sandi Maroney said. “It’s great for our community because it puts this library on the map. It helps us show people that libraries are more than just books, they are a resource.”

The kiosk features a touch-screen display, containing an extensive amount of informational topics users can choose from. There’s a comprehensive event guide, for Extension activities, including a detailed list of community events across the area and 4-H activities.

When a user types in the subject of event, a list appears, showing each event, a map showing its location, and a detailed event description. It also contains every publication the Extension has ever released, on a wide range of topics.

The kiosk also provides users with gardening tips, information on agriculture and keeping and raising animals. All resources discovered can be emailed or printed directly from the kiosk.

“The St. Clair County Extension Office greatly appreciates the funding provided by the Coosa Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council that made the Ragland Library Extension Kiosk a reality and for the tremendous support we have received from Sandi Maroney, library director and library board president, Mrs. Jerry Sue Brannon, and all the other board members,” County Extension Coordinator Lee Ann Clark said. “Also, a special thanks to Ragland Mayor, Lanis White, Commission Chairman Paul Manning and Commissioners Jimmy Roberts and Tommy Bowers for attending.”