Ames residents are now able to do a lot more at the west Hy-Vee Food & Drug Store than just shop.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the installment of a new public information kiosk at the Hy-Vee Food & Drug Store, 3800 W. Lincoln Way, on Oct. 8 at 9 a.m.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to provide the latest information to our citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Ames Public Library Director Gina Millsap. “Our citizens are very sophisticated about technology, and I’m confident this will appeal to them.”

The kiosk provides a variety of public services not readily available to residents of west Ames. These services include a phone, scanner, fax machine, laser printer and photocopier.

The kiosk also is linked to the city and library Web sites. Users will be able to search for jobs, get career information and obtain tax forms all from one location.

“The benefits to the students and citizens are that we will be able to reach those far from city hall,” said Clare Bills, City of Ames public relations officer.

“Ames is growing west,” Millsap said, “and those residents need somewhere they can obtain public information.”

The $38,500 kiosk was paid for by a federal Library Services and Construction Act grant obtained through the State Library of Iowa. The City of Ames will have to pick up about $5,000 a year for maintenance and upkeep costs.

Ames was chosen, along with Davenport and Iowa City, as a testing ground for the kiosk, Millsap said.

The state library chose Ames because of the progressive nature of the community, Millsap said in a press release.

However, Millsap was not sure if Ames residents could expect to see more kiosks.

“It depends on how this one does,” she said. “This is really just a test for us.”

Millsap said special consideration was given to Iowa State students when the kiosk was being designed.

“Because of its place in west Ames, we know that ISU students will see it a lot,” Millsap said. “Measures were taken to place the ISU Web site and student information on the kiosk; the students are a part of our community as well.”

Bills said the kiosk will help ISU students to become better acquainted with Ames.

“With the large turnover of students each year, many of the new students come from towns with different rules and regulations,” she said.