Launch

Beyond BTOP Conference

Submitted by kieran on Fri, 11/16/2012 - 14:01

On November 8th and 9th, 50 representatives from Colorado's BTOP Public Computier Centers took Colorado Springs by storm!  Well, actually it was quite sunny and warm until we left, and then there was a storm....

The goal of the conference was simple - to celebrate your successes with the Public Computing Centers, share updates on where the Public Computer Centers are headed with broadband, new technology, & new services, and to support Colorado communities while they become digitally fluent. 

We unleashed our inner 'Pioneers' and looked at the 'Why?' behind what we do.  We took our 'Minute to Win It' and 'Embraced our inner data geek', and we found out what was coming down the 'Broadband' road and it 'is more than just speed' for our state and in the nation.  We are ready to 'Encompass' our communities, and to '3D print' creative spaces in our libraries.  We have plans, and we are taking action.  We are ready for the 'Future'.

For those of you who were unable to attend, the powerpoints from Beyond BTOP will be available on this website over the next few weeks along with blogs summarizing each presentation.

For those of you who did attend, remember Ron Carlee and the International City Managers Association have provided a perfect opportunity to put in motion your Minute to Win it speech with your city administrator! 

Is there a Badge for that?

 

Spotlight: Pierce Public Computer Center

Submitted by crystal on Mon, 11/28/2011 - 16:33

Location: Plains Market
Computers: 2
Population: 834

The Pierce Public Computer Center is part of the High Plains Library District.

The Town of Pierce is located on US85 due east of Fort Collins. Pierce was the setting for the opening scenes of Titan A.E., and the coordinates that were made famous by Close Encounters of the Third Kind are along 85 between Ault and Pierce. But aside from its extraterrestrial fame, the town of Pierce is a close-knit, friendly community known for its agriculture.

The public computer center in the Plains Market launched officially on September 8th, and is one of two centers that HPLD placed in a retail establishment. Pierce is the second smallest site in HPLD with a population of just 834, and yet it is one of the busiest HPLD centers. In total, it has had 344 open access uses since the launch!

The computers are available 84 hours a week, and the Plains Market has been actively promoting the center. Staff have helped attract users to the drop-in computer help sessions by word-of-mouth, as well as making sure everyone is aware of the resources available to them through the library.

To learn more about the High Plains Library District Public Computer Centers, read this blog post about the Keenesburg Public Computer Center.


(blog post contributed by Erin Kirchoefer, High Plains Library District)

Spotlight: Kersey Public Computer Center

Submitted by crystal on Mon, 11/14/2011 - 12:30

Location: Kersey Library
Computers: 10
Population: 1,454
Motto: Kersey...a great place to grow a family!

Kersey is a growing community located just 9 miles east of Greeley. The town of Kersey has really embraced their new public computer center; at the launch on June 23rd visitors enjoyed cookies and snacks that were baked by members of the Library and Museum Board!

The Kersey Library already had a dedicated patron base that took advantage of the public access computers, library storytimes, and the newly enhanced collection. When the High Plains Library District partnered with the Town of Kersey, the district replaced their computers and added several more. They’ve had over 1,400 open access uses since May. Kersey’s patrons have really been keeping them busy!

It will be interesting to see how local youth utilize the computers for their homework needs, and we’re excited to see how this busy public computer center grows.

(blog post contributed by Erin Kirchoefer, High Plains Library District)

Spotlight: Lochbuie Public Computer Center

Submitted by crystal on Tue, 09/06/2011 - 15:42

Location: Lochbuie Senior Center
Computers: 4
Population: 4,726

The Lochbuie Public Computer Center is a part of the High Plains Library District. HPLD is housing many Public Computer Centers in communities that do not have libraries, such as Lochbuie. The HPLD Bookmobile stops regularly in Lochbuie, so the Public Computer Center just increases library access in this Northeastern Colorado Community.

The Town of Lochbuie is located in both Adams and Weld Counties along I76. The town, developed in 1961 and incorporated in 1974, is the youngest of our public computer center communities by 56 years! Originally called “Spacious Living,” the town was renamed after Lochbuie on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.

Lochbuie boasts an active senior community, and many of those seniors have volunteered their time to help staff the public computer center. The computers are available 25 hours a week, including two evenings from 4-6pm! HPLD staff have conducted 6 one-on-one computer appointments there since the center launched July 4th weekend. That number would be higher, but after working with library associate Jonathan Wisner on filling out online job applications, one patron had to cancel his next appointment due to his new job schedule!

(blog post contributed by Erin Kirchoefer, High Plains Library District)

Taking a look at the big picture...

Submitted by crystal on Tue, 06/28/2011 - 07:50

Normally, I’m not much of a photo person, but lately my camera has been getting a lot of use. I’ve been attending launch events in Northeastern Colorado, and I try to take as many photos as possible along the way. I love capturing the unique parts of each Public Computer Center: an unplanned ADA station demo at Red Feather Lakes, a town fair under the gazebo in Milliken, or green balloons and live demos at Fleming.  

Sometimes people get camera shy, and sometimes the light is not quite right, but these photos help document this enormous grant project and celebrate a major milestone. By sharing photos, we also share ideas. It allows us to see how other people are setting up their computers, using marketing materials, and (most importantly) getting creative.

That is exactly why we created a new Flickr site where we could store and share BTOP Public Computer Center photos, and we want you to share your photos with us! If you are taking photos of your Public Computer Center along the way (and we hope you are taking photos...), please email them to us. Have fun, take some silly (or serious) photos, and share your celebration with everyone!

Syndicate content