WebJunction

We have a core majority of computer users (about 20 kids) ages 9-14. Next is a smaller group (about 8 adults) of ages 22 - 45. I don't get any computer users over 50 years, and have had about 2 college age. The greatest impact is that the computers draw in the kids. It is wonderful to have computers to draw them in as Alta Vista has no other place for the children to go. I figure, if we have something to draw the children into the library, I can get them to check out a book. However, I'm beginning to wonder if the older adults look at the library as a place for the young to "hang out" (is that an 80s term or what?). Of the 8 adults about half are board members and spouses. I often wonder what is going on with this library?
I'd like to start a class for the older members of our community. I've been asked by a few of our elderly patrons. I could provide a very introductory class on computer basics, MicroSoft Word and Excel. I guess I really don't know what computer services to provide to our library users and to our community. I have not explored many different avenues myself. I don't know how to blog or even the difference between a blog, forum, or social group online. Looks like I could use a little help here. I do enjoy online classes, but don't know what is available to the public. I'm open to ideas!

There are many different customers that come into use our public computers. We have about 255 computer users per week as well as 50 more wireless users. Most of these users are over the age of 18 or adult patrons. Providing this to our community is a great service as we are a lower income area that has just started to get in-home high speed internet, so the library is still a place to go to get high speed internet. Also, we are a relative rural community where although there is high-speed internet now available to citizens within city limits, many patrons outside of the city limits only have the option of dial-up internet, making it very hard to use today's advanced web plug ins and web content (as well as meeting the need it now mentality). There are many things that we can do to provide more services to our customers, we already offer computer classes and other technology classes, but we could and should work harder on providing information on job hunting, e-government and staff training to assist themselves and our patrons-also working with the local/state organizations that meet these needs, such as Iowa Workforce Development.

The largest group using the library computers in our library is the 9-18 yr old age group. This group basically uses the computers for social reasons--e-mail, IM, facebook, etc. We do have a few 19-40 somethings that use the Internet occasionally for research and some are taking online classes and do not have home access. Most older adults that come in and want to look something up on the Internet, want you to do it for them and are not too interested in trying it themselves. We see a few more older computer users in the summertime when out of town vistors might stop in to check e-mail or do family research while on vacation.
I have always wanted to do more to encourage older patrons to use our Internet. I think many of them have little computer knowledge and have no idea what they could use the computer for. I would love to have classes for those who would like to learn some basic computer and Internet skills.

I can relate to your answer. This year is our first year with our school closed also. So I think the library is more important to our town than ever. This is the only place that Chelsea kids can hang out together, besides on the bus to and from school. A lot of my patrons also do not have internet at home.

Oooh-game tournaments! I wouldn't have thought of that in a million years! Thanks for the idea, because I think that would get some pretty serious attention around here. I have some truly addicted gamers floating around...this could be fun... Heck, I could even get some of my older patrons who are card players to have a go at internet hearts!

The range of our computer users is pretty much the pre-teen to the teenagers. We just recently got our computers from the Gates Foundation and now have five very new computers and I think as word spreads that we now have five for the public to use our usage should pick up before this we only had three and two of them were pretty old and ran wery slow. I think the impact is relatively minimal as I think most people in our community have their own at home or the elderly just don't have one in their homes, but there is where I would like to step in and show them what they can do and what other things they can access from the computers and let them know it is not just for the younger generation.

leldred Springville We have many and varied customers, the after school crowd comes to mind first off, adults are coming in more and community college students taking quizs on line, we have several seniors just getting their feet wet on the computer. We are a popular place in our community, word has gotten out that we have 9 internet computers. We have the added service of printing with ease from the computer and are considering basic classes to help patrons navigate.

Carolyn I have to agree with you on many of your statements. We to have kids that meet me at the door when I open and some spend the whole time I'm open on the computer but like you said I would rather have them in the library then running around on the streets, and maybe they will find a book that would peek their interest. I feel I need to also be able to offer some computer classes for the patrons who don't feel they know anything about the computer.

Session 9 - Web Board Questions 9-8-08
1. Who are the customers using the computers in your library?
My customers are all ages, middle, children and young adults. Young adults check their e-mail if their computers at home are
down. Others do homework, research, the children mostly play games, or whatever they do.
2. What impact does providing free public access computers have on your community?
The impact on our community is good. There are 2 ladies doing homework from classes they are taking. Once in a while a
child will try to do homework, because of the questions they ask me. I think I need to buy some disks for people to use. I did
buy some that one person wanted, buy they did not work for her. So what kind do I buy or what do I do now?
3. What services could your library provide using your public access computers?
I believe we need to add computers to our library as we can afford them. One lady told me she hopes her teen will be
able to do her homework on our computers. Classes would be good too, like e-mail or how to find info. on the computer,
but I would need to find someone to teach it, I can barely do my own!!


2. The Internet has had a profound impact on the way libraries do business. As the Internet continues to change and grow, as well as our patron's expectations on accessing information, how do you think this will change the way libraries look, feel and operate?

I think we need to embrace this computer growth in the libraries, the young ones are going to need it in their jobs. and
I don't think there will be a job that does not use a computer. I would like to see more computers here, as there are many
homes that do not have a computer, it is another expense everyone just cannot afford, and perhaps that child has to do
homework on a computer.. I have a lot to learn, but I really do not think some of the really older generation is to thrilled to
learn it. We will have more computers in our libraries because they are a service we provide, and someone with a
technology background will most likely need to be hired and they will need to be paid more, and have benefits added
I'm thinking.
Erna Lunn Ledyard

I have been considering gaming tournaments too, but I was thinking of younger people and hadn't thought of adults. I like your idea of getting adults interested in computer with online hearts.