New public computers at Library

Librarian Hope Schawang has announced that the Falls City Library and Arts Center will receive 24 new computers for public use.

The library received all new computers through a technology grant secured at the time of the new library opening in 2007.  Six years is a long life for a computer, Ms. Schawang noted.

The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the Nebraska Library Commission a $2,416,403 grant to fund Nebraska’s public computer center project, Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities.  This three-year project, which ends in July 2013, is designed to expand broadband capacity, upgrade public computing resources in libraries and advance access to employment, learning, health information and E-Government services.

In addition to the federal grant, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is providing $1,251,786 in matching funds for a project total of $3,668,189.  The Nebraska Library Commission is using the funds to enhance public computer centers in 147 libraries statewide.

The new equipment the library will receive is valued at $33,216.81. Computers will be added to the study rooms as well as replacing the lab units.

The library is partnering with Southeast Nebraska Community College to provide computer-training sessions for the public, with instructors Pamela Fiedler and Carla Kage.  At this time, the sessions are free of charge through the grant.  Summer sessions will be scheduled with Fiedler will include a registration fee for each series.

See the library program schedule at www.fallscitylibrary.org

Library hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

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