The role of public libraries isn’t what it used to be, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still fill an important purpose in their communities.

In the five months since the Lawrence Public Library returned to its renovated and expanded building at 707 Vermont St., there has been plenty of activity. Officials say the total number of library visits was 64 percent higher than in 2013, most of which the library spent at its temporary home at Seventh and New Hampshire. The number of library cards issued by the facility also jumped by 28 percent in 2014.

Libraries used to be all about books, but that isn’t the case any more. A recent Journal-World story about circulation trends at the Lawrence library showed that, although some patrons still were checking out books, many of the most popular items at the library were music CDs, movie DVDs and audio books. The movie “Frozen,” which topped the list, was checked out 311 times in 2014.

The library renovation was designed to serve many purposes beyond shelving and circulating books, and library personnel are working hard to meet the goal of making the library a center of community activity. Patrons can come to the library to use computers, attend community meetings and programs or just have a cup of coffee.

Just this week, the library announced a couple of special efforts to boost community involvement. First the library is acting as a collection point for new winter hats and gloves that will be donated to those in need of warm clothes. Donations can be dropped off before Jan. 19.

Also this week, the library announced its participation in a massive open online course (MOOC) offered by Kansas State University. The class, Health and Wellness 101, is open to anyone free of charge, but the library is providing some incentive and added value for some local residents. The library is inviting up to 20 participants to be part of a group that will meet on Wednesday afternoons, starting Jan. 14, to complete the seven-week course. The library is partnering with Lawrence Memorial Hospital to provide guest speakers to attend each class and provide additional information to supplement the source material. The class can be a good introduction to MOOCs and fits with the library’s goal of promoting life-long learning.

The new public library already is well on its way to being the community center it was envisioned to be. The ice rink on the library plaza apparently leaves something to be desired, but, for the most part, the new library facilities are drawing rave reviews.

It’s good that the Lawrence library is trying to meet society’s new information technology demands — while still offering local residents a quiet corner to enjoy a good book.