A recent study conducted by the University of Washington found that nearly 1/3 of Americans ages 14 and older (about 77 million people) used a public library computer or wireless network to go online in the past year. What are all these people doing? Many are searching for jobs, applying for college or government benefits, learning about their health, and connecting with their community. (see survey results)
This isn't a huge surprise here in Missoula. Every month we field more than 1,000 questions in Web Alley, our public Internet access room. And those are just the people who ask a question. Even more are regularly using the computers, or linking into our free wifi (have you seen the new electric outlets set up by eddie's coffeeshop?).
Feeling left behind the technology wave? Or just interested in honing your skills? We're now offering computer classes each week on Monday evenings and Wednesdays at lunchtime on a variety of topics from the basic like using the mouse to more complicated Excel spreadsheets - or how to get those holiday pictures from your camera to your computer and beyond.
Plus, we're opening our computer classroom on Saturday mornings to anyone interested in taking a practice test (we have online tutorials for the SATs, GREs, citizenship, and more - try the LearningExpress Library) or working on a resume (we also have resources to help you get started in your job search).
So come to the library for a class or just to use the wifi - 1/3 of Americans are doing it!
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