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By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 05:56 p.m. EST, Nov 22, 2009
Coming soon to your Akron-area library: computer classes with . . . computers.
For years, Akron-Summit County Public Library's 17 branches have offered free training in which participants do not use a computer. They watch a screen linked to the instructor's computer.
But the classes — which have attracted thousands — will change. Beginning sometime early next year, students at the branches will use laptop computers in hands-on classes.
The library won't use taxpayer money: it's getting a $241,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Response from library patrons ''is going to be tremendous,'' said Ann Hutchison, the library system's technology director. ''Customers have been asking about this for a very long time.''
The library district will use the monetary gift to buy 31 laptops as well as pay for a computer trainer.
The laptops, stored on carts, will move from branch to branch.
Classes will range from those for the beginner — with little or no computer skills — to those wanting to learn or improve their knowledge of specific programs, such as Microsoft Word and Excel (a spreadsheet program). Classes on selling items on eBay and creating resumes also will be available.
The library currently only offers hands-on computer training at the Main Library in downtown Akron.
But Main Library's computer lab has only 15 seats; those wanting to attend classes are frequently turned away.
Akron resident Mary Bayer, who earlier this month took a class in the Main Library computer lab, says hands-on is a better way to learn.
Taking the classes at the branches without computers ''is like watching a baking show on television,'' the 43-year-old said. ''You're not getting your hands in the dough and mixing it yourself.''
Classmate Arthur Hill, 36, wants to beef up his computer skills after being laid off. Taking a class without computers ''would be a waste of my time,'' Hill said.
''You need to participate,'' the Akron man said. ''By watching somebody you are just hearing it in one ear and it's out the other.''
The grant will allow the library system to offer hands-on computer training to an estimated 7,500 people at the branches over three years, said library Director David Jennings.
So far this year, computer classes at Main Library and the branches have attracted 5,523 students. That's up about 11 percent from the 4,941 students for all of last year.
Demand is growing as people seek to improve their computer skills to make themselves more marketable amid the weak economy.
Additionally, more and more information is being placed online.
''More people are realizing each day that it's increasingly difficult to navigate the modern world without some basic computing skills and knowledge,'' Jennings said.
The ''mobile computer instruction project'' will begin with three to four classes each week at all library branches.
The grant is part of a $3.3 million Knight Foundation effort to expand computer access at libraries across the United States.
The grant comes at an opportune time. The library — like others across Ohio — has made budget cuts because of reduced state funding.
''We are excited,'' Jennings said, ''and grateful to the Knight Foundation.''
For more information about the library's computer classes, visit http://www.akronlibrary.org/training.
Brochures also are available at the branches at Main Library.
For more information about the Knight Foundation, visit http://www.knightfoundation.org.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
Coming soon to your Akron-area library: computer classes with . . . computers.
For years, Akron-Summit County Public Library's 17 branches have offered free training in which participants do not use a computer. They watch a screen linked to the instructor's computer.
But the classes — which have attracted thousands — will change. Beginning sometime early next year, students at the branches will use laptop computers in hands-on classes.
The library won't use taxpayer money: it's getting a $241,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Response from library patrons ''is going to be tremendous,'' said Ann Hutchison, the library system's technology director. ''Customers have been asking about this for a very long time.''
The library district will use the monetary gift to buy 31 laptops as well as pay for a computer trainer.
The laptops, stored on carts, will move from branch to branch.
Classes will range from those for the beginner — with little or no computer skills — to those wanting to learn or improve their knowledge of specific programs, such as Microsoft Word and Excel (a spreadsheet program). Classes on selling items on eBay and creating resumes also will be available.
The library currently only offers hands-on computer training at the Main Library in downtown Akron.
But Main Library's computer lab has only 15 seats; those wanting to attend classes are frequently turned away.
Akron resident Mary Bayer, who earlier this month took a class in the Main Library computer lab, says hands-on is a better way to learn.
Taking the classes at the branches without computers ''is like watching a baking show on television,'' the 43-year-old said. ''You're not getting your hands in the dough and mixing it yourself.''
Classmate Arthur Hill, 36, wants to beef up his computer skills after being laid off. Taking a class without computers ''would be a waste of my time,'' Hill said.
''You need to participate,'' the Akron man said. ''By watching somebody you are just hearing it in one ear and it's out the other.''
The grant will allow the library system to offer hands-on computer training to an estimated 7,500 people at the branches over three years, said library Director David Jennings.
So far this year, computer classes at Main Library and the branches have attracted 5,523 students. That's up about 11 percent from the 4,941 students for all of last year.
Demand is growing as people seek to improve their computer skills to make themselves more marketable amid the weak economy.
Additionally, more and more information is being placed online.
''More people are realizing each day that it's increasingly difficult to navigate the modern world without some basic computing skills and knowledge,'' Jennings said.
The ''mobile computer instruction project'' will begin with three to four classes each week at all library branches.
The grant is part of a $3.3 million Knight Foundation effort to expand computer access at libraries across the United States.
The grant comes at an opportune time. The library — like others across Ohio — has made budget cuts because of reduced state funding.
''We are excited,'' Jennings said, ''and grateful to the Knight Foundation.''
For more information about the library's computer classes, visit http://www.akronlibrary.org/training.
Brochures also are available at the branches at Main Library.
For more information about the Knight Foundation, visit http://www.knightfoundation.org.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, OH
Posted 07:59 AM, 11/23/2009
Great news! Our library is one of the best in the country and a tremendous asset to our community.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:51 AM, 11/23/2009
================
The library district will use the monetary gift to buy 31 laptops as well as pay for a computer trainer.
================
31 laptops and 1 trainer?
Imagine how well that will work.
I bet the Knight's would like for these laptops to be used for more than 40 hours per week.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:08 PM, 11/23/2009
@Overtaxed Voter, apparently the Knight Foundation knows what they want better than you do, since they granted the money to the library based on the proposal.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:52 PM, 11/23/2009
What is the library system going to do with the staff and budget $$$ that were being used to teach the "computer classes at Main Library and the branches have attracted 5,523 students" now that the Knight grant has come along???
Akron, OH
Posted 02:49 PM, 11/23/2009
@Overtaxed Voter, considering the grant only effects the branches, one would guess that the Main Library services will continue as they always have.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:28 PM, 11/23/2009
=================
7,500 people at the branches over three years, said library Director David Jennings.
=================
That's 2,500 per year (overall) or less than 150 people per branch (17 branches away from the Main in the ASCPL system).
=================
So far this year, computer classes at Main Library and the branches have attracted 5,523
=================
5,523 people in less than 11 months at 1 location with 15 seats in the Main Library's training training lab.
And the new 'laptop' 'branch' program is going to average 150 people per year with 31 computers available.
Who came up with these math calculations? Diane Miler-Dawson???
Akron, OH
Posted 03:50 PM, 11/23/2009
@Overtaxed Voter, it is obvious that the Main location offers many more class than the branch locations will offer due to availability (no packaging systems and moving them around) and more staff to train.
Posted 10:28 PM, 11/23/2009
"Free knowledge isn't right."
- Overtaxed Voter
Akron, OH
Posted 10:52 AM, 11/24/2009
Dayam...
The "ASCPL" levy that appears on every one of my property tax statements tells me that 'this knowledge isn't FREE'
