We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Ten laptops, donated to the Blaine County Library by Triangle Communications, will be used for technology training and computer classes the library plans to conduct. Library Director Valerie Franks is pictured with the laptops.
Harlem Library Director Colleen Brommer displays two laptops donated to the library by Triangle Communications. Brommer said the laptops will be available for checkout to patrons for use in the library.
When Triangle Communications updated its laptop computers used in workshops and for demonstrations, it was decided to donate the 20 'retired' computers to local, eligible entities. Several of the laptops were delivered this week to the Blaine County Library, in Chinook, and the Harlem Library. Angela Allestad, a Public Relations Specialist with Triangle, described the laptops as "lightly used" and said by phone, "There's still a lot of service left in the retired laptops." They laptops were purchased in 2009.
A flyer, explaining the 'giveaway' and describing the laptops, stated an eligible entity could apply for up to 10 of the retired computers. Both Harlem and Chinook's head librarians made applications and were recently notified the laptops were awarded. Local Triangle service reps delivered the laptops in early April. Readers who took classes with Triangle, before new Chromebooks were added for instruction, may be familiar with the laptops headed to Blaine County.
Chinook plans for the laptops
Library Director Valerie Frank described plans to use the laptops to present classes to the public. She noted numerous requests for various computer and internet classes. The library has hosted several classes presented by Triangle specialists and Frank said, "We'll invite Triangle to do more programs." The Chinook-based library received 10 laptops.
Frank said, "We would also like to do our own classes. We recently began doing monthly tech support for our patrons and expanding the support program, with use of a computer lab, will be very beneficial." She added a laptop lab had been on the library's wish list for several years but budget and financial constraints wouldn't allow the necessary purchases. She described the gift from Triangle as a "great thing at the right time."
In Harlem, laptops will be checked out
Colleen Brommer, Library Director in Harlem, said, "We plan to use the two laptops we received for library patrons to use. Patrons will be able to check out a laptop, for use in the library, much like they check out books or other items." Harlem Library has also hosted Triangle classes, with good response and continued interest by locals there.
Who's learning to use computers and the internet?
Triangle Communication's Angela Allstad said there is increased interest in learning about computers and how to use them with the internet. Smartphones, electronic pads and other internet-connected devices are commonly thought to be mainly of interest to younger users. The Pew Research Center found in a large, 2012 study that seniors (those over 65 years of age) are also prolific users of technology and the internet and the number of senior users is growing.
The study found some 68% of Americans in their early 70's go online and 55% have broadband at home. Internet adoption falls to 47% and broadband adoption falls to 34% among 75-79 year olds. One researcher noted, "Younger seniors, just leaving the workforce, more likely used computers and the internet in their jobs. They were comfortable with technology before they retired, it's natural to continue using the tools they already know."
One other interesting finding, by Pew researchers, involved the level of adoption of smartphones by seniors. More than half of all Americans now have a smartphone, but among older adults, adoption levels sit at just 18%. One wonders, given the number of seniors routinely observed using smartphones, if perhaps the percentage of seniors with smartphones has also increased since the study was done in 2012.
