Library Computer Lab
The Show Low
Library Computer Lab was established in April 2001 to provide public
computer and Internet access and classes for Show Low, Navajo County and the
communities of the White Mountains. From 2001 to 2007 funding for computers and software
was made possible by grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation.
In January 2011, the Show
Low Library received $26,000, as
part of a larger $1,600,000 award to the Arizona State Library, which
has managed the statewide Arizona Public Access Computers (AzPAC)
Project. This project was developed to meet Arizona’s growing public
library technology needs. AzPAC was funded by the Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program, as part of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration & U.S. Department of Commerce. The primary
project goals have been to provide additional access to public
computers, reduce wait times for computers, and support access to 21st
century skills training and electronic resources.
This award
allowed the Show Low Library to purchase of 17 state of the art
computers and software, with Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2010
Professional (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint and other Office
software products), and Corel PaintShop Pro, for photo editing. This
provides our community the opportunity to use this new computer
technology and learning more about, it through free classes.
Public libraries are
often the only entity providing no-fee access to the internet, whether
for student research and homework; filing for healthcare and other
benefits; refinancing a mortgage; looking for information on friends or
family; access to emergency resources; support training to enhance
business and open avenues to job creation; resume, job searching and job
application tools; business and banking; key components to sustaining
communities and stimulating long-term economic growth. Additionally,
public libraries support the floating population of seasonal and
traveling visitors who also need library services.
Together, the Show
Low Public Library and Computer Lab now have 32 public access
computers, with Windows 7 or Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2010, black and white and color laser printers, a
high speed digital scanner
for scanning documents and photos, and
WiFi access
for portable computer users, using High Speed Internet Powered by
Frontier.
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