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No more waiting to use computer
Published 12:08pm Thursday, November 3, 2011Library Laptops: No more waiting in line to use a computer.
Have you ever found yourself waiting in line to use a computer at the library? Well, wait no more.
Fergus Falls Public Library customers logged onto the library’s 8 Public Internet Computers a total of 20,708 times last year. That’s almost 8 customers using all 8 computers each hour we are open. During busy times of the day, customers often reserve computers and wait in line.
The library staff knew we needed to somehow increase computer access but with limited space and connectivity issues, we wondered how we could do so.
Luckily, today’s technology has given us some options. Beginning this week, the library will start checking out laptops for use within the library.
Laptops can be checked-out at the library \ check-out desk and can also be reserved by calling the library 218-739-9387.
Laptop users will have one hour of computer time per daily session. As a reminder, you can also bring your personal laptop, tablet computer or other wireless device to the library and access our free wireless internet service.
The library laptops will also be used by library staff as a mobile computer lab. This mobile lab will allow our staff and other community instructors to begin teaching hands-on, technology-related classes in the library’s Jean Dahling Meeting Room.
Look for a schedule of classes early next year. Thank you to the Friends of Fergus Falls Public Library for help funding this project.
Due to the success of our first ever “Gadget Petting Zoo,” library staff will be offering two additional opportunities for customers to come in and test run some electronic gadgets in advance of the holiday gift-giving season. Come to the library on Friday, Nov. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. or Tuesday, Dec.13 from 4 to 6 p.m. to try out an iPad 2, Barnes and Noble Nook, Color Nook, Sony Reader, and, possibly also a Kindle Touch. Try before you buy.
Also, as a reminder, the library offers popular ebooks and downloadable audiobooks via our website: www.fergusfalls.lib.mn.us.
Virtually all devices and ebook applications will now work with library downloadable books, including the Amazon Kindle. The library has downloadable ebooks and audiobooks for all ages, including picture books for the youngest readers and nonfiction. Check us out online.
See you at the Library.
Erin Smith, Director, Fergus Falls Public Library
Computers are used for almost everything these days, most people should learn how to use a computer. If you don’t know how a computer works, this article gives a great explanation on how a computer works.
http://explainlikeakid.blogspot.com/2011/10/computer-parts-and-what-they-do.html
is this a computer lab or a dying library trying to keep outdated books in a computer lab.lets separate the library and computer lab.notice you dont here about people waiting to get books.the city needs to let tax payers use the schools computer lab and then we will see just how few people really go to the library and what a burden it is and that it would behove the tax payers to look at getting rid of it.
At the risk of feeding the trolls, one should point out that these “outdated books” were checked out 225,400 times in 2010 (about 85 per hour that the library was open). and that 151,000 visits were paid to the library in 2010. What other public resource in Fergus Falls is used as much as this?