A lot of people also go to the reference section of the library to take advantage of free Wi-Fi service.

"It's a wireless hotspot," she said of the reference section.

Over the past few years, the library has purchased more computers, bringing the total to 28. All have broadband Internet connections, and the ones in the juvenile section contain filters to prevent the young ones from viewing inappropriate material.

A couple years ago, the library hired a computer technician to facilitate software that limits the amount of time library patrons could use on a computer.

Known as SAM, an acronym for "smart access manager," the software also charges patrons a fee for printing pages.

The time system briefly caused a drop in usage, but officials didn't mind since it made the process more fair.

"It's really made a wonderful difference," she said. "It was hard to get them off and the staff had to intervene."

This year, the library is averaging 5,000 Internet sessions a month, up from the 3,000 monthly average in 2004.

Internet use in the library seems to also have a seasonal correlation. For example, in June, the library reported to have 4,648 Internet sessions. In January, there were 5,401 session.

"I guess during the winter months, there's nothing to do," she said.

Besides not being able to do such things as burn CDs, the reference department head said patrons pretty much have free rein on the computers.

The added foot traffic in the library as a result of the computers is a plus, Lacey said.

"We like it. It brings more people to the library," she said. "How you use the computers is wide open, really."

Library officials hope to add electronic reference books on the computers in the future. The library computers currently contain links to Americana and Grollier encyclopedias, she said.

Angela Scott, 27, another resident, said "the service is quite good" and she comes by regularly because she doesn't have a computer at home.

On Wednesday morning, she was listening to music on a Web site.

S.K. Ahluwalia, 73, was visiting his daughter in Morristown on Wednesday, had dropped by the library on South Street to visit the Web site of some foreign newspapers at a stand-only console.

While the libraries in his native India have Internet access, Ahluwalia said the libraries in this country are "much better, bigger and have many more selections."

Ahluwalia, who ran a steel factory in India before retiring, said the Internet is a valuable tool that connects the world, and he is glad libraries provide the service.

Minhaj Hassan can be reached at (973) 267-9038 or mhassan@gannett.com.