Computer training options step up with The Edge

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The library has offered computer training programs for a number of years, but not on the scale that The Edge has been able to provide for the public, said Carol Grimes, planning and development coordinator for the Springfield-Greene County Library.|ret||ret||tab|

The Edge, located in the Community Technology Center at Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, is geared toward giving families and students easy access to technology and computer instruction.|ret||ret||tab|

The center of-fers state-of-the-art equipment in an environment where people can have fun and learn at the same time, the.|ret||ret||tab|

"Actually I think we're going beyond what we started to do," said Jazy Mihalik, project director for the center. "We're serving a lot of people."|ret||ret||tab|

The computer lab contains 12 units, with four additional workstations located in an adjacent alcove, plus three fully equipped laptops, according to Tammy Flippen, project coordinator.|ret||ret||tab|

Since the center opened on April 22, 725 people have attended the 140 classes offered, Mihalik said.|ret||ret||tab|

People of all skill levels are using the center to improve their computer skills, Flippen said. A lot of people are re-entering the work force and brushing up on computer knowledge.|ret||ret||tab|

The center provides individual homework help from 3 to 5 p.m. on Mondays. Students can sign up for this program during the weekly Wednesday registration for regular classes. Tutorial sessions are also scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Mondays, with practice sessions available at the same time on Thursdays.|ret||ret||tab|

The tutorial programs also offer enrollees training where they can set their own pace. The computer programs include Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Front Page, Power Point and Microsoft Publisher. These sessions are scheduled for the Monday and Thursday evening time frames.|ret||ret||tab|

Classes generally fill within 48 hours after registration opens, Flippen said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Right now it's our beginning core basics classes people are really interested in," Flippen said.|ret||ret||tab|

Once they learn to use the mouse and access online programs, students are ready to move on to Internet basics and sending and receiving e-mail.|ret||ret||tab|

Mihalik hopes to enlist the help of VISTA volunteers for future classes, and she is working on a work/study project for students at Ozarks Community Technical College to assist with some courses.|ret||ret||tab|

Already plans are in the works for the fall classes to include Excel I and II, Microsoft I and II and HTML under the supervision of Heidi Perreault, professor in the computer information systems department at Southwest Missouri State University.|ret||ret||tab|

Classes in digital images and scanning also will be added to the course selections in December of this year through the SMSU partnership, Mihalik said.|ret||ret||tab|

The center came in under budget on equipment, allowing extra money for digital cameras at the workstations. Although there are many types of digital equipment and systems, the December training sessions will give students the basics, Mihalik said.|ret||ret||tab|

A 90-minute adult workshop was offered in the summer selection of classes on how to build a basic Web page using the HTML program. This class will be extended to a longer, more detailed session in the fall, according to Mihalik.|ret||ret||tab|

Grimes wrote the original grant through the U.S. Department of Education to enable the library to fund the program. |ret||ret||tab|

Augmented by funds from the local Jeanette Musgrave Foundation and an additional government grant through the Institute of Museums and Library Services, the program will continue full-swing through December 2003. |ret||ret||tab|

Grimes is in the process of looking into other federal grant money to extend center activities beyond that time.|ret||ret||tab|

"It is my hope it will be very clear how effective the program has been by that time," she said. "We've already seen there is a need."|ret||ret||tab|

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