TMCnet News
'Retta' helps Henderson library patrons with tech problems [The Gleaner, Henderson, Ky. :: ](Gleaner, The (Henderson, KY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 26--HENDERSON, Ky. -- Need a tutor for your tech questions? "Hat's off to Retta," said Essy Day, director of the Henderson County Public Library. "She's here to rescue you." Retta Zollinger (her first name is pronounced the same as Rita) is point person for a new one-on-one service the library is offering, which for computer newbies could be a godsend. She can teach basic computing skills such as saving to a thumb drive, uploading digital photos or creating an email account, but also can provide instruction in more sophisticated stuff such as Apple's Pages software, Microsoft's Windows 8 and using Skype, FaceTime and the finer points of Facebook. "It's good for job security with the way the world's changing with technology," Zollinger said. "We are in the digital age." "People can't even apply for a job at Burger King without a computer," Day pointed out. "They have to come in here and log on to apply for a job at Burger King or McDonalds." "And a lot of (employers) require an email address," Zollinger said. "If they don't have an email address, they can't fill out the application." Some patrons might want to apply for a job that requires an online assessment test. Or they might need help getting a resume on paper into digital form that can be emailed. "It's a big process for people who have had one job all their life to change into the technical world," Zollinger said. "People need help with job searches and resume writing," which is not particularly suited to a class atmosphere, Day said. "People want one-on-one help. They just want it on their schedule and on their time." You can sign up for a session by calling the library at 826-3712 or online at tinyurl.com/lassvmx. "And sometimes we can take drop-ins if I'm not too busy," Zollinger said. The library has offered classes in technical topics for a while, but has modified its offering as demands change. That's one of the reasons Zollinger is able to provide one-on-one tutoring; the library has cut back on its PC classes, which initially were popular, but has upgraded its Apple offerings because of the demand. Many age groups Zollinger said the requests she has had so far have come from a wide range of people. "We are hitting all ages," she said. "Some people are intimidated to learn it on their own," Day said. "They get a computer and they're afraid to touch it." Zollinger said she obtained her expertise from college classes, her former career teaching school "and a lot of it here." For instance, someone wanted to learn how to burn a DVD on Windows 8, so she had to get up to speed on that program so she could teach it. "It's amazing the topics some people want," Zollinger said. For instance, one wanted expertise in using eBay "because she had some stamps" she wanted to sell. Day noted this year the library is focusing on all forms of literacy: computer, financial, early childhood and so on. "So Retta's classes are helping us achieve that goal because it's on computer literacy. "The year 2014 is the year of literacy here at the library. Retta got the ball rolling with her one-on-ones." ___ (c)2014 The Gleaner (Henderson, Ky.) Visit The Gleaner (Henderson, Ky.) at www.courierpress.com/news/gleaner Distributed by MCT Information Services |