Computer Technology Center

The Computer Technology Center (“CTC”) has been in operation since mid-2009. The CTC is staffed by computer savvy volunteers, so you can imagine, it started off slowly until we built a regular volunteer base.  We have that now!  

We have six (6) computers for people to use (provided by a grant from the ADC Foundation in 2008).  We have no time limit on how long people can be on the computer (the Hennepin County Libraries only allow an hour of use time per person) in order for them to complete what they are working on.

Our volunteers help people write their resumes, sign up for e-mail accounts, navigate the online unemployment system, apply for jobs online, and search for continuing or post secondary education opportunities. Some of our volunteers have even helped people learn how to use a computer.

We have a regular flow of CTC users.  In 2009, we saw 930 people sign in to use the computers and access our volunteers’ knowledge. Some of people coming in use the computer center almost every day.   We see others on a weekly basis and yet others, only occasionally. Anytime you come into our office, if one of tried and true volunteers are in the CTC, you will see every computer in use!  

While most people use the center to look for work, it has also been used for taking college classes, taking tests, filing for divorce, looking for grant funding, etc.  Some folks come in with very limited computer skills.  Others just need help signing on to the system and then are self sufficient.  The Hopkins & Ridgedale librarians frequently refer folks to our CTC as they need more time on the computer than the library can offer.  

Our goal is have the CTC open Monday through Friday 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm. We are in need of additional volunteers to have the CTC doors open all week. In addition, ResourceWest allows people to send faxes for free, make (limited) copies for free, and provide access to a phone for local calls. 

Often times it is the little things that make a big difference – just like in the Starfish story.