Senior Center

is site of free

drop-in class

Thanks to funding from a levy lid lift that was passed in November 2006 for the Pierce County Library System, computer classes are now being offered to the public at the Bonney Lake Senior Center. And they’re available at the right price: free.

“It’s a pretty good outreach here, especially when we found out the center had a computer lab,” said Glenn Storbeck, research librarian for the Bonney Lake branch.

The classes take place upstairs in the center’s lab, which offers wheelchair accessibility. Each lesson focuses on Internet searching techniques and using e-mail.

“It takes awhile,” he said. “We try to teach them some of the simple aspects of finding critical information here.”

The lessons may be basic but Storbeck believes once students feel comfortable with their searches, they’ll gain the confidence to help themselves.

Once students are comfortable with the knowledge they’ve gained, they can take advantage of more expansive lessons offered directly at the library, he said.

Storbeck’s one-hour classes take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays.

“I want people to be able to walk in and learn how to Google, use library sources, how to find sources on the Internet, how to judge the quality of what they’re really looking at and make them comfortable to come and talk to me about anything that I can look at,” he said. One important factor in teaching the classes is helping the public understand that librarians are bound to confidentiality rules yet are limited in certain areas, he explained.

Students may also show up at 1:30 p.m. for an informal computer chat session, ask questions or simply watch demonstrations. He also offers help in setting up free e-mail accounts.

The computer classes are open to all ages and there is no registration.

The Bonney Lake Senior Center is at 19304 Bonney Lake Blvd. E. For more information, call the Bonney Lake library at 253-863-5867.

Reach Judy Halone at jhalone@courierherald.com or 360-802-8210.

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