Going to the Library to Re-Charge ... Your Phones, Laptops, iPods ...

Edith Wheeler Memorial Library patrons seated at a computer station worked quietly Tuesday evening and every table was taken by visitors using their laptops. Others read books and periodicals in comfy chairs.

The library was open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. without its regular services, so residents who lost power could use the facility. Many took the opportunity to use the wifi to access the Internet and to re-charge the batteries of their electronic devices.

"It's busy," said Margaret Borchers, the library director. "The parking lot is full and as soon as someone unplugs their device, someone else plugs theirs in."

When the library opened at 11 a.m., Borchers said a small crowd was already waiting by the entrance.

"Everybody who comes in here seems appreciative of the help we give them," Borchers said. "People seem to be upbeat."

The library will return to normal hours and services on Wednesday, which will be from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.