News

Verizon introduces e-branch library kiosk

November 6, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Verizon Information Services introduced its Information Station/Estacion de Informacion, a bilingual e-branch library kiosk, at a Lexington, Ky., Wal-Mart Super Center Nov. 6.

Actor James Earl Jones, who appeared in the baseball-movie classic Field of Dreams, was Verizon's spokesman, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

"By itself, this machine is little more than plastic, a keyboard, silicon chips and a screen," Jones said. "But once you click on, this machine comes to life and brings the world -- the World Wide Web, to be exact -- to your fingertips. And with the Internet comes opportunity, and that is exciting."

The kiosk was funded by a $50,000 grant from Verizon to the Lexington Public Library Foundation and housed at no cost by Wal-Mart. It will provide quick access to library, social and legal services, information about recreation, health, transportation, schools and literacy programs, as well as Verizon's SuperPages.com and SuperPages en Espanol.

The kiosk is the first of its type in Kentucky, according to James Lee, president of the library Board of Trustees. The location was chosen because the area has the greatest number of underserved and Hispanic people, according to the newspaper. More than 40,000 customers visit that Wal-Mart each week, 40 percent of whom are Hispanic.