Accomplishments
The library director points to three interrelated accomplishments in information technology: a community-based information network called Monticello Avenue (http://avenue.gen.va.us) with the library at its core, a new public computer laboratory in the central branch of the library, and an initiative to network all branches. As part of these networking initiatives, local businesses have laid fiber optic cable to make Internet access affordable to local citizens; that is, without costly long-distance telephone charges. A high level of community commitment and involvement has made these accomplishments possible. The computer laboratory in the central branch opened to the public in November 1995. Managed by the library’s community network coordinator, David Shumaker, the computer laboratory makes the Monticello Avenue network and the Internet available to the public. The library reference staff holds classes in how to use the Internet for both staff and the public. Volunteers from the community supervise the operation of the lab during public hours.
