The LBW Community College Andalusia campus library recently doubled the popular reading collection, thanks to a lease program allowing a 200-core collection and up to 110 new titles in a year.

“It is important for an academic library to also offer opportunities for recreational reading,” said Mary Beth Green, LBWCC director of learning resources.

“With budget cuts, this lease program is critical in allowing us to rent books with the chance to buy titles at a reduced rate later,” she said.

New titles can be on the library shelf by the time the book is released due to prepublication ordering, she added.

“Now available is our core collection, representing 200 titles in various genres with publication dates ranging from 2008 to 2011. It includes fiction and nonfiction books.”

Such titles include George W. Bush’s “Decision Points,” Michael Waltrip’s “In the Blink of an Eye,” Tami Hoag’s “Secrets to the Grave,” Jodi Picoult’s “House Rules,” and Monona Rossol’s “Pick Your Poison.”

Green said recreational reading provides an outlet or diversion for people.

“The more a person reads, the more they grow. Reading improves the imagination and provides an escape for the reader.”

LBWCC students Michael Myrick and Cymberley Estis are excited about the new recreational reading opportunities.

“Now we have a better selection,” said Myrick, who enjoys reading mystery novels.

“I like reading for pleasure when I have time. It gives me a break from school work,” said Estis, whose favorite type of reading is historical fiction.

The books are available to students, faculty, staff, and anyone holding a community users card. For more information, call (334) 881-2265.