The Modoc County Library operates five branches in the Northern California county and only has funds to pay six full-time staffers. Modoc doesn't receive any money from the county and could not afford the software it needed.

"Even grants aren’t free because you have to have the time to apply for them," said Modoc County Library staff member Cheryl Baker.

As such, the Modoc County Library had no means to purchase a time-management application, software that controls the amount of time that an individual can use a public computer. As an alternative, the library has implemented a time-management system that's very similar to the process of checking out a book, a solution that didn't require expensive software.

When a library patron wishes to use one of the computers, he or she must visit the front desk and sign up for a time slot. A Library staff member then "checks out" the computer and hands the user a slip, which is due back in one hour.