LIS 60003 Final Report

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Technology Access at the Library

Reed Memorial Library
Ravenna, Ohio
http://www.reed.lib.oh.us/
Date(s) of visit(s): 10/15/2016 and 11/20/2016
Meghan MacMillan
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Reed Memorial Library sits on the edge of Ravenna’s downtown, a large, but

cozy building. It is inviting and the staff is friendly and ready to help. The town itself has

a population of about 11,000 people, residents over 45 years old make up about 41

percent of the population (city-data.com). According to the U.S. Census from 2013 on

computer and internet usage, around 80% of those between the ages of 44 and 65

reported computer and internet usage while those over the age of 65 only had around

53% reporting usage (figure one). The median income per household in the city of

Ravenna is about $35,000 annually and in terms of computer ownership and internet

usage, 80 % of those in that demographic had reported having a computer at home,

while only 69% reported using the internet. As the income of the house decreases, so

does the likelihood of computer usage (figure 2) (US Census 2013).

OCLC’s 2010 study revealed that about 60% of those over the age of 45 visit a

library annually. 24% of patrons aged 45 to 65 used a library computer or internet

provided by the institution (OCLC 2010). All this being said, it is important for the library

staff, as information professionals, in this community to aid in getting its patrons online

and up to date on computer skills as needed. A lack of computer ownership does not

mean a lack of computer usage. Reed Memorial Library has made accessible

technology for patrons a huge part of their institution, as so much of the population in

Ravenna has a smaller chance at having the technology they need to keep up with the

changing society around them.

On the second floor of the library, there are twenty computers available for public

use. Posted on each monitor is a list of the Terms of Use as well as instructions on how

to gain access to the computer. Patrons need to go to the reference desk, which is right
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next to the computer usage area and ask for a PIN number, which the librarians give in

the form of a card (figure 3). After entering the PIN number, the patrons have 2 hours of

access to the computer, a timer counting down on the home screen as soon as the

session starts.

Each station was the same in terms of hardware. All had wide screen Asus

monitors and Dell computers, as well as Dell keyboards and mice. The processor was

an Intel®Core™i3 CPU with 4 gigabytes of RAM and ran at 3.20 gigahertz.

The operating software is the latest version of Windows 10 Pro (version 1607,

from 2016) and each computer comes equipped with two up-to-date browsers: Google

Chrome and Microsoft Edge. In terms of applications installed, each device is equipped

with 2010 versions of Microsoft Office programs:

• Microsoft Word

• Microsoft Publisher

• Microsoft Power Point

• Microsoft Excel

In addition to these, users also have access to Windows Media Player, a DVD player,

an Xbox app, a weather app, a voice recorder, and Microsoft Sway, which is a free

standing digital storytelling application. These are all very basic for doing much of

anything on a computer in general. Patrons can make presentations, spreadsheets,

word documents as well as view media recordings. WiFi is also accessible and free,

patrons need only stop by the circulation desk where there are cards with all the

information needed (figure 4).

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In addition to all of these in-computer applications, patrons have access to the

library’s wealth of databases and reference sources that are available for free. These

sources include:

• Business Source Premier

• Consumer Health Complete

• EbscoHost

• Explora Primary Schools, Public Libraries, and Secondary Schools

• Point of View Reference Center

• Ancestry.com Library Edition

• Literary Reference Center

• Science Online

• World Book Online

To use these services, patrons do not even need to log-in (unless they are off the library

property, then they need their library card number) and they can be sorted by category

(databases, encyclopedias, guides, et cetera) as well as alphabetically. Each entry has

a short, one to two-line description which makes it easier for users to figure out which

database will suit their information-seeking needs. Librarians are available for help at

the reference desk during the hours of operation.

If patrons would prefer to use print sources, Reed Memorial Library offers an

online catalog, available on the computers for adult use as well as separate computers

just for catalog searching throughout the library (five for catalog use only). Reed’s

catalog is done through Webpac, a part of the Portage Library Consortium, which also
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include the Kent Free Library and Portage County District Library. Through the catalog,

patrons can search by title, author, subject, genre, media type and set parameters on

location, material type, language, year and publisher. Once a user searches for a title or

author of a book, they are given the option to search OhioLink and SearchOhio as well,

expanding the pool of resources available.

According to OCLC’s 2010 report, 22% of those over the age of 45 visited a

library’s website (OCLC 2010). Reed Memorial Library’s website

(http://www.reed.lib.oh.us/) has a clean, simple design with an easy navigation. At the

top of the page, there are links for the user’s account page as well as the catalog (with

an accompanying search bar). The navigation bar is broken down into the following

categories:

• About the Library, which covers the libraries location, hours of operation, history

of the library and information on notary services, policies and the institution’s

meeting rooms.

• Find Information is a page that offers links that help those looking for information

on genealogy, taxes, the community as well as an access point for off-site

database use.

• Kids provides a brief overview of what the library offers for children, such as the

children’s area and programming for children.

• Teens gives dates and descriptions of the programs offered for teenage patrons.

• Adults gives links to pages on Adult Outreach Services and Adult Book

Discussions
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• Contact Us provides phone numbers and extensions for different departments at

the library, the number for their fax machine, an email address that they can be

reached at and an on-site, built in messaging service.

These breakdowns by category makes the website easy to navigate and requires less

searching through information they do not need.

On the website, users can view a calendar that lists classes and programs

available to library patrons at no cost. Useful to those that may not have their own

computer and therefore not have much experience with using computers at all, Reed’s

adult programs aim to solve these problems. “How to Choose a Device” focuses on

how to evaluate tablets based on the user’s own information needs. “Computer Basics”

is popular and requires attendees to register beforehand and is aimed towards users

with little to no experience with computers. “Internet for Beginners” helps users learn to

navigate the web in ways that are useful to them and “Photo Editing with Free GIMP

Program” which is a bit more advanced and specialized.

Overall, Reed Memorial Library has a grasp on the needs of users in their

community and makes it relatively easy for patrons without regular computer access at

home to improve their digital literacy, which is the knowledge, skills, and behaviors used

in digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs. The

Reference and User Services Association’s Guidelines for Information Services (2000),

“Libraries have an inherent obligation to provide information service to support the

educational, recreational, personal and economic endeavors of the members of their

respective communities, as appropriate to the libraries’ individual missions” (RUSA pg

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1). Based on the programs offered by the library, the readiness of staff members to help

and the ease of access to technology, Reed meets this expectation with ease. The

Reference and User Services Association explains in Guideline 3.4, that:

The library should provide appropriate equipment in adequate quantities and in

good working order for the convenient, efficient consultation of local and remote

information resources by staff and the public. This includes communications

hardware and software (RUSA pg 4).

Based on this specific guideline, Reed Memorial Library meets these requirements and

provides a space for the community to get acquainted with and use new technologies

they may not have access to at home.

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References

File, T., & Ryan, C. (2013). Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2013.

Local Lms Emerge With Computer Concepts V. 5.0 Printed Access Card. (2013).

Cengage Learning.

Perceptions of libraries and information resources: Context and community. (2010).

Boomers. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC.

Perceptions of libraries and information resources: Context and community. (2010).

Seniors. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC.

Ravenna, Ohio. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/city/Ravenna-

Ohio.html

Reed Memorial Library. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.reed.lib.oh.us/

RUSA Access to Information Committee. (2000). Information Services for Information

Consumers: Guidelines for Providers. [PDF]. American Library Association.

Thompson, K. M., Jaeger, P. T., Taylor, N. G., Subramaniam, M. M., & Bertot, J. C.

(2014). Digital literacy and digital inclusion: Information policy and the public

library. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

Vigdor, J. L., Ladd, H. F., & Martinez, E. (2014). Scaling The Digital Divide: Home

Computer Technology And Student Achievement. Economic Inquiry, 52(3), 1103-

1119. doi:10.1111/ecin.12089

Zickuhr, K., Purcell, K., & Rainie, L. Technology use at libraries. In Library Services in

the Digital Age.

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Appendix

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3
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Figure 4

Computer Hardware

Computer/Monitor Dell Inspiron i3647-2309BK Desktop

ASUS Widescreen Monitor

Operating Software Windows 10 Pro

Processor Intel iCore i3

Processing Speed 550 at 3.20 GHZ

Ram 4 GB

Peripheries Dell mouse and keyboard

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Computer Software and Library Systems

Browsers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge

Applications 2010 versions of Microsoft Office programs, Windows Media

Player, a DVD player, an Xbox app, a weather app, a voice

recorder, and Microsoft Sway

Catalog/ Webpac, Portage County Library Consortium.

Ohio Link Ohio Link available.

Available?

Databases Business Source Premier

Consumer Health Complete

EbscoHost

Explora Primary Schools, Public Libraries, and Secondary

Schools

Point of View Reference Center

Ancestry.com Library Edition

Reference Literary Reference Center

Science Online

World Book Online

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Technology Support Services

Course Name Description (from

How to Choose a Device
Computer Basics
Internet for Beginners
Photo Editing (with GIMP)
http://www.reed.lib.oh.us/)
an overview of some main questions to
consider and features to look for when
thinking about buying an electronic
device. Participants will be able to try out
some of the library tablets.
an opportunity for people completely
unfamiliar with computers to get some
basic hands-on training and begin to feel
more comfortable with the technology.
Through hands-on activities, participants
will learn how to use Internet links,
common elements of web pages, and
print from the Internet using print preview
a program on photo editing using the free
program GIMP. Basic mouse and
keyboard skills are required for this class.

Website Evaluation of http://www.reed.lib.oh.us/

YES NO
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Is the website easy to

navigate? X

Is the website visually

appealing?
X

Access to catalog? X

Contact information? X

Program information? X