[November 22, 2009] Library computer courses to go hands-on with laptops at branches Tweet Nov 22, 2009 (The Akron Beacon Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- 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 [email protected]. To see more of the Akron Beacon Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.ohio.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]