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April 5, 2009
Library computer resources in demand
More people taking classes, doing research, Morris freeholders told
By Michael Daigle • Daily Record • April 5, 2009
HANOVER -- The Morris County Library is fast becoming a go-to information center, even in this age of Google, Twitter, Facebook and all things Internet.
Director of Library Services Joanne Kares told the Morris County freeholders recently that more people are using the county library for research, phone queries and career seminars.
The increased activity also reflects changes in the way the library operates and cooperates with the county's municipal libraries, Kares said.
Librarian Lynne Oliver said that, for example, schools with tight local budgets have cut down on the number of trips to the library. In response, the library staff produced a virtual tour that is available on DVD.
In 2008, Oliver said, the library had 284,043 visitors who borrowed 546,313 items, up 12.4 percent from 2007. The library's Web site was visited 283,639 times last year, she said.
As the economy worsens, the library is seeing increased interest in its career programs, Oliver said, noting 469 such sessions have been held since 1992, reaching 5,250 participants.
In addition to career programs offered at the library, the staff also goes off-site to nonprofit organizations, government agencies and job counseling groups.
Oliver said the library's computer courses are designed to give the most inexperienced person basic instruction. The simplistic approach answered a basic call after schools such as County College of Morris found some of its students had no familiarity with computers.
The library's computer training courses cover such topics as e-mail and PC basics, Google tips and introductions to software such as Microsoft Word.
For information on upcoming career seminars and computer classes, visit www.mclib.info or call the library at (973) 285-6939.
Mike Daigle can be reached at (973) 267-7947 or mdaigle@gannett.com.
Posted by tumulty at April 5, 2009 3:53 PM
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