New Library Tech Center Offers Free Internet Access
by Sue Lenthe
photo by Mark Streed
from Dateline: Loveland
The Internet has long promised those with
access marvelous things: the latest stock market quotes; a look at the
front page of tomorrowís New York Times; entry to university libraries
across the country. Now, access to the wonders of the Internet is available
free to all through the Loveland Public Library, thanks to the libraryís
new Technology Center.
The center, with 10 computer terminals and Internet
access via a high-speed data line, puts the local library at the forefront
of a technology trend sweeping through libraries across the country. In
Loveland, the centerís mission is two-fold: It provides Internet access
to anyone, regardless of age, economic status or computer ownership.
And, people unfamiliar with the Internet
will be able to receive training through the Technology Center. That teaching
element sets the Loveland Public Library apart from others, says Ted Schmidt,
library director. And itís a critical part of helping the library achieve
its mission as the communityís information center.
ìI think weíre, if not the only library
in Colorado, one of very, very few that is actively teaching. A lot of
libraries provide access in varying degrees to the Internet depending on
how many PCs they have available.î
Generous community donations have created
a center that is on the technological cutting edge, Schmidt observes. All
of the equipment for the center was donated or purchased with grants or
contributions for a total value of roughly $50,000.
ìThe fact that we're teaching people how
to search for information and how to analyze the information they find
is significant.î
The Loveland Public Library offers four
different levels of Internet training free to the public on a monthly basis.
Level I Basic Orientation is tailored to people with little or no PC experience
and the Level I Intermediate Orientation is for people with PC skill.
The Level II Orientations take a look
at more advanced search strategies and techniques. If electronic technology
is the best way to find certain current inforamtion, it's not about to
replace books at the local library, Schmidt says.
Librarian
Carson Block, who has worked for three years to bring the Technology Center
to life, says during that time the library has fielded frequent queries
about whether it provided Internet access. ìWe can finally say yes.î
