Surf the Web — at the local library

By Paula J. McGarvey for The Montana Standard - 07/15/2008

Conner Harbrige is a regular Wi-Fi user at the Public Butte Library on Broadway Uptown Butte. Tiffany Shyu/The Montana Standard

People who don’t have a home computer or Internet service no longer have an excuse to avoid surfing the Web.

The Butte-Silver Bow Public Library, 226 W. Broadway, has eight public computers and free Wi-Fi service available for use at no cost and without the need for a library card.

“We want to let people know we have it,” said Lee Phillips, director.

In addition to local residents, Phillips is hoping that Butte’s many festival-goers this summer will take advantage of the public computers and free Wi-Fi.

Stephanie Johnson, the new reference/systems librarian, is managing computer services.

“For people who have their own laptops, we have Wi-Fi access throughout the first and second floor,” said Johnson.

That service extends into the library’s new young adult section. Johnson said that on any given weekday, approximately 8 to 10 people take advantage of the free service.

Conner Harbrige, 19, said that he routinely brings his laptop to the library after work to check newspaper blogs and his MySpace account.

“It’s nice because it’s convenient for me and I don’t have Internet in my apartment,” he said.

Johnson said that in addition to free Wi-Fi service, the library has eight public desktop computers available. Six are located in the reference area and a seventh computer is located in the genealogy room. People wishing to use one of these public computers need to sign up for a time at the reference desk.

“We offer everyone at least one hour per user, per day,” said Johnson.

Reservations can be taken up to 24 hours in advance. For those worried about people not sharing, the computers automatically log the user off when their time has expired.

The eighth computer is designated for short-term use, such as checking e-mail, and to access an automotive database, Johnson said.

Johnson frequently helps people take advantage of free e-mail and initiate Web searches.

“It’s really nice. We’ve got a lot of resources at your fingertips,” she said.

Public computers and free Wi-Fi are available during regular library hours. The library is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., and closed on Sunday.

“If we’re open, you can get on a computer,” she said.

Paul Thurston, 55, began using the public computers this spring.

“I check my e-mail, pay bills and bid off eBay,” he said.

His wife Glenda Thurston accompanies him to the library and also uses a computer while she is there.

“I just play games,” she said.

Johnson said that the library had 1408 hours of public computer use during the month of June. According to Johnson, the computer illiterate should not be fearful of the technology and that library staff are on hand to answer questions.

“We’re happy to get you set up,” she said.

Johnson has only worked at the library for a few weeks, but said that she has already noted the trend in computer service users shifting from retirees to more tourists, young adults and teens since school let out.

“I helped a couple of people fill out some job applications on line last week,” she said.

Johnson said that the library is looking into the possibility of offering basic computer classes this fall if there is enough interest.

— Freelance writer Paula McGarvey may be reached via e-mail at pjmcgarvey@in-tch.com For information about Butte-Silver Bow Public Library computer services, call 723-3361 or visit the Web site at www.buttepubliclibrary.info