The Thompson Public Library has made some great strides this summer, expanding on its slogan “more than meets the eye.”

The library is now fully accessible through mobile devices via the Insignia Library App for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app allows users to browse the library’s catalogue, renew materials, and see what you already have out on loan.

While the app makes for a world of convenience and may save a trip or two to the library, there are some new features in the building to keep readers coming back and staying longer.

The addition of some new paperback shelving in both the adult and children’s section, has created a more accessible area. The staff at the library also worked hard at rearranging the children’s section to create more space, and offer a more open yet cozy area for young readers and their families.

Thompson Public Library administrator Cheryl Davies says that the additions the library has made are in place to try to offer more to the community, regardless of age.

“With things like our free Wifi, students can come in here and bring their laptops to study or do research,” said Davies, “we’ve seen a real increase in readers in here this summer, people that we haven’t seen in a while are coming back. It might be because it’s an air conditioned building, or because in the summer things slow down in town so people have more time and they get back to reading.”

A new Keurig coffee maker has been made available for library patrons, with a variety of options for payment. Bring in your own pod and the use of the machine is free, bring your own mug and your coffee or tea will cost $1.50 or use one of the library’s cups for $2. All money from the coffee goes back to the library and towards bringing in more coffee and tea.

“The coffee machine is a great thing to have, especially for the parents who bring in their kids for the children’s programs,” said Davies, “they can sit and have a coffee and chat with other parents or read the newspaper.”

On the topic of newspapers, the library is in the middle of a major project, scanning all issues of the Thompson Citizen newspaper from the past and converting them into a searchable database.

With a steady flow of visitors to the library and an increase in readership, the one anomaly is the loaning of DVDs, which has not increased, even with the closure of Blockbuster and Rogers.

“We haven’t really seen an increase in DVD lending,” said Davies, “maybe with the kids DVDs a little bit, but nothing too big. We don’t really have the big Hollywood blockbusters though, we have more of the educational movies, or books that have been made into movies.”

Davies invites the community to come out the library and check out all there is to offer. The TD Summer Reading Program is still on for another month for children ages three to 10, every Tuesday at 2 p.m.