Pierce County Library > Your dollars, your library technology

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Your dollars, your library technology

Check out new technology services @ Pierce County Libraries!

More free computers for public use in every branch.
Free computer classes for adults.

New technology services brought to you by voters passing a re-authorized levy for Pierce County Library System.

Re-authorized levy maintains and brings new library services

In the September 2006 primary election, voters gave a 56% approval to re-authorize Pierce County Library System’s levy rate, maintaining current services and adding library services. With the Library’s re-authorized levy rate of 48 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value, the Library is delivering on its four levy pledges to the communities in 2007.

The Library is now introducing its fourth pledge: upgraded services and technology for customers, by offering more computers with Internet access in library branches for the public to use and computer classes for adults.

More computers for public use
In 2006, the Library offered an average of 5.6 computers in each library branch—nearly the lowest of all library systems in Washington state. By February 2008, the Library plans to add 88 computers and projects to offer an average of 13 computers in each branch.

Following is the Library’s current plan to distribute computers for the public’s use. This plan makes little change to floor space in branches and allows the maximum addition of computers with the least amount of disruption to the current use of library branch space. After these relatively easy installments of computers, the Library will assess additional computer needs.

This plan allows the Library to add the most computers quickly with the least amount of disruption to current use of library branch space. Branch staff assessed whether they could easily locate workstations based on existing furnishings, power and data access. and without removing or major rearrangement of shelves and built-in furniture.

Phase 1

Library Branch	Existing Public Internet Computers	Additional Public Internet Computers Planned	Total Public Internet Computers
May - December 2007
Sumner	16	0	16
Buckley	2	6	8
Key Center	4	4	8
Lakewood	18	12	30
Milton	4	2	6
Steilacoom	4	2	6
Parkland/Spanaway	14	12	26
January 2008
DuPont	4	4	8
Eatonville	4	0	4
Graham	8	6*	14
Orting	4	2	6
Peninsula	14	7	21
Summit	8	6	14
Tillicum	4	1	5
Bonney Lake	6	6	12
February 2008
South Hill	19	5	24
University Place	8	5	13
Total	141	80	221

* The Library installed three of the nine additional computers planned for Graham Pierce County Library in February 2007.

Phase 2

Library Branch	Existing Public Internet Computers	Additional Public Internet Computers Planned	Total Public Internet Computers
Sumner	16	0	16
Buckley	8	0	8
Key Center	8	0	8
Lakewood	30	0	30
Milton	6	0	6
Summit	14	0	14
Tillicum	5	0	5
Bonney Lake	12	0	12
DuPont	8	0	8
Graham	14	0	14
University Place	13	0	13
April 2008
Parkland/Spanaway	26	2	28
May 2008
Eatonville	4	2	6
Orting	6	2	8
Peninsula	21	3	24
South Hill	24	6	30
Steilacoom	6	3	9
Total	221	18	239

Free computer classes for adults
The Library is now offering free computer classes for adults. See the Library’s calendar for details on locations and schedules for classes. The classes will help adults succeed as life-long learners.

Initially, the Library is offering classes in:

Basic computer skills.
Guidelines on how to find books and materials in the Library’s online catalog.
Introduction to word processing.

In 2008, the Library will offer additional classes, which may include:

Creating and using Web pages on social Web sites, such as MySpace.
Showing how to view blogs and how to blog.
Instructing how to buy and sell safely on commercial Web sites, such as eBay.
Using photo sharing sites, such as Flickr.
Creating avatars or graphic images and personalities of people on Web sites, such as Second Life.
Searching the Internet, using credible sites to search family histories and more.
Helping people search for job opportunities online and creating effective resumes.

Additional new and expanded services

These services are free on the Library’s Web site with a Pierce County Library card.

Video On-Demand
More movies and TV programs you can download to your home computer from the Library’s Web site: You may now choose from more than 300 titles of award-winning and nominated Hollywood favorites from the 1930s through 2001, including: “Black Hawk Down,” “Men in Black,” “Singing in the Rain,” and “Black Beauty.”

BookFLIX
Pairs classic video storybooks with related nonfiction books on the Library’s Web site: The online interactive videos, books and games link fact and fiction. BookFLIX reinforces early reading skills for children who are pre-kindergarten through third grade. Children may choose from 80 titles in English and 20 in Spanish.

Library levy promises already delivered

New materials and faster service
In January 2007, the Library began offering a wider variety of books, online services and other materials. It also cut the time people wait for popular books by 60 percent—from 19 weeks to 8 weeks.

New services in branches, free with library card:

Playaways—Small portable audio devices with full recordings of books. You can check out Playaways from all Pierce County Libraries.
Books Plus to Go—Quick pick, one stop bookcase of new trade and recent best-sellers in branches.

New services online, free with library card:

Downloadable audiobooks online—1,305 book choices for all ages. Download books via your home or office computer 24/7 and play on your computer. Transfer files to your portable device. You may burn many of the audio books to CDs.
Newspaper Direct online—500 full page, same day newspapers from 70 countries in 37 languages.
Book lists online—Dear Reader sends book lists directly to your e-mail or via RSS.
WorldCat online—Catalog of approximately 70 million titles of books and more from all over the world. You can find a book in the catalog and send an online request to Pierce County Library to borrow the item from another library.
School Reading Lists Online—Searchable lists of books from participating local schools’ Accelerated Reader lists.

More open hours
In June 2007, the Library increased open hours by 20 percent at library branches. Nine library branches are now open on Sunday afternoons. All library branches are open on Monday. Six library branches are open on Thursday evenings.

Additional services for kids and teenagers
In August 2007, the Library launched Live Homework Help®, an interactive, online homework session with professional tutors. The online homework uses IM or instant messaging to help students in real time. The Library has also increased resources to help prepare children to read and assist kids with homework research.