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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/30/1984 - Report - Bryan College Station Library System Advisory Board 1110 REPORT BRYAN PUBLIC LIBRARY MICROCOMPUTER PUBLIC ACCESS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT OCTOBER, 1984--SEPTEMBER 1985 A Texas Instruments Professional microcomputer was donated to the Bryan Public Library by Texas Instruments on Oct. 24, 1984, in response to a proposal via the Library Board to T.I. I wrote a program abstract and Vic Paulos, member of the Board, wrote to Bill Brown of T.I. on Sept. 11, 1984. in a month's time, the library had its computer! Along with the computer, T.I. donated operating system software, basic programming software, a color monitor and a printer. The specifications of the computer include 256 K bytes of RAM, dual disk drives, and a 3 graphics plane board. As the computer arrived on the heels of an IBM given to the library through a grant from the Texas State Library, computer literacy for the City Librarian became an instant need. With the assistance of my youngest daughter, Jeane, I began learning about microcomputers. I am thankful that both operate with MS DOS, as switching between the IBM and the T.I. can slow you down. In a little more than four months I was literate enough to begin orientation sessions for library patrons. Attached documents show that 24 patrons signed up to begin the program. During three evenings of orientation, I enlisted the help of Larry Best of KLS Computers, local dealer for T. I. equipment. Then I began a one-on-one session with each student in order to teach the basic steps in turning on the computer, handling diskettes, etc., plus a step by step log for using the tutorial software. Students picked up knowledge rapidly and before long I. had a schedule I could manage, with assistance from volunteers Larry Best, Coleman Lloyd, Roger Jackson, Donald Wolf and Dale Cuthberson. It required a great deal of evening hours and Saturdays, as expected, but I feel that the students who remained with the program at least through June became proficient with word processing and several got into PFS File and Report. Some dropped out after the two Saturdays of instruction in March conducted by an instructor from T.I., (she came here from Austin). We had six T.I. portables, which were shared by two persons, and the two 6 and 1/2 hour Saturdays were intense. It became too much for some of the students, but those who survived went ahead with the program software I selected. (The Friends of the Library paid for the software.) Page 1 • I had experience with PFG Write, File and Report, but was unable to purchase Write for the T. I. After research and trying out several packages of word processing software, I decided on Volkswriter Deluxe, which Consumers Report rated as the easiest to learn to use, and second in satisfaction of features offered. It has excellent tutorials, and has been an effective choice. I selected PFS File and Report and Graph, and through another source, we have acquired Lotus 1 2 3 for the T. I. I also selected and purchased a typing tutorial, as this skill was a barrier-for several students. I purchased a tutorial for the keyboard and for MS DOS operating system. The Friends have also supported the cost of supplies, such as paper. STATISTICS OF MICROCOMPUTER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT 4 of Patrons Using Mar Apr May June July August Total Public Access Microcomputer 22 39 34 24 27 16 162 D of Hours Public Access Microcomputer Was Used by Public 11 39 66 44 53 40 253 • PROFILES OF SOME OF THE STUDENTS At least six of the students were City of Bryan employees whose training probably enhanced job effectiveness. One of the students is writing a novel for young people, and her training has shown her the possibilities of word processing. One of the students is in charge of maintenance of two apartment complexes and he has used PFG File and Report to organize his list of parts according to type of equipment. He feels it has increased his effectiveness on his job. One of the students is self employed in buying, selling and renting houses. The value of his experience with the micro— computer has been to see its versatility in relation to his business. He will be purchasing a microcomputer of his own. One of the students has worked with a Kaypro and CPM operating system. She was able to learn MS DOS in just a few sessions, increasing her knowledge of the world of micros. • Page 2 • One of the students owns a pharmacy, and in advertising her business, she uses a paragraph describing the various over- the-counter drugs that consumers purchase. She was able to prepare the type for a year's advertisements using word processing and the result is she will not have to pay a second .person for this copy. One of the students is a school teacher. Her only experience was with an Apple computer. Her experiences on the computer gave her more experience, plus she learned how to use the PFS series. Many of her hours on the computer were in producing a data base for a project to benefit library users. One of the students is working on her post doctoral degree and uses a computer that is very technical. She wanted to learn more about personal computers, and her time using the PFS series benefitted the library, as she also worked on creating a data base for a library project. One of the students is a member of a non-profit organization and she used her learning experiences to create a mailing list for the organization, using the PFS software. She is learning word processing now, in order to produce newsletters for the group. One of the students was over 70 years of age, and he had hoped to be a trainee, but after repeating the tutorials far • the MS DOS operating system more than 10 times, he decided that he was 'too old" to help someone. Actually, he was able to help others in basic steps in starting up the computer and inserting software. One of the students was employed at A&M in a department that handles registration. She used her time to is-prove her computer skills and knowledge to make her a more valuable employee. She was over 55 years of age. EVALUATION As a demonstration project, the computer literacy program has been successful. About 16 of the original 24 students who signed up are described in the PROFILES above, showing that more than 60 per cent stayed with the program long enough to acquire enough knowledge and develop skills to help them stand alone with a computer. As a result of this success, I plan to begin a second project in October or November. No exact date is possible, as we are in the planning stages for Fiscal 85-86. If is expected that several of the students of this first project will be assisting in the next program. Several • library staff members have had sufficient training to monitor students after they become familiar with routines. Page 3 11110 Publicity is and will be kept to a minimum--in house mostly- -because we only have one computer. At this time the consensus of the Library Board and the Friends of the Library to keep the program as is, is probable. As many people who signed up could only come in evening hours, that is a limitation in itself. I say try to schedule two people at a time in the early stages of the next project, even though I firmly believe that learning takes place with "hands on time the first two sessions could be "shared' by two people. I have thoroughly enjoyed the program, and I hear the same from other libraries where public access computers are available. My own knowledge has increased to the point where I feel I can impart knowledge to someone else. I know it is one of the most powerful learning experiences I have encountered and that the microcomputer has allowed the library to produce several valuable tools, such as the serials list and the index to easy picture books. I believe it is an appopriate project for the Bryan Public Library. S • Page 4