Ever since it was refurbished four years ago, the Weehawken Free Public Library has evolved into a multi-media center, rather than just a building with books and research material. It has been transformed into a community center, a place where Weehawken residents can feel comfortable.
Now, patrons have even more reasons to visit the library.
Last Thursday, the Weehawken Free Public Library officially opened its new computer lab, courtesy of a grant it received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The grant, provided by the creator of the Microsoft computer conglomerate, is designed to help libraries provide computer and Internet capabilities to communities with low-income residents.
The Weehawken library was one of only 43 libraries in New Jersey to receive the grant for new computers.
Thanks to the $23,000 grant, the library received six Gateway computers, a laser printer, two additional Spanish keyboards, 12 headphones, a network accessory kit, a wiring package, software licenses for sharing software, and one year of technical support.
Computer furniture and all internal wiring, in the amount of $5,300, was purchased with funds from the Weehawken Library Building Fund. These funds were generated by the Taste of Weehawken fundraiser and various private donations which are used only for extraordinary expenses.
The new Bill and Melinda Gates Technology Center was previously a study room. The room is now dedicated specifically for use of the Gates Foundation computers. This room provides an atmosphere which is conducive to online research, and the use of other programs that are available in the software package. The computers were specifically designed by Gateway for public libraries.
Eric Negron, the library’s technical services director, believes that the new computer lab will totally enhance the library, especially for Spanish-speaking patrons.
“We now have four Spanish language keyboards and a Spanish profile that changes everything on the Internet to Spanish,” Negron said. “It’s going to be a huge help. My mom [Alicia] uses it and she only speaks Spanish. But this makes it easier for people like her.”
With the addition of the six new computers, the library now has a total of 19 computers for patrons to utilize and log on to the Internet.
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, who was on hand for the grand opening ceremony, was impressed that the new computers will not only feature the Spanish language, but 27 other languages as well.
“Hopefully, this technology center will encourage people from all backgrounds to come to the library,” Turner said. “From any grade level, from kindergarten through Ph. D. This grant has expanded our multi-media capabilities tremendously. The research capabilities are outstanding. We’re a full-service library now. The people from the library, like Eric Negron, Kelly Fitzgerald and Lynn Arricale, all did a tremendous job in first securing the grant, and Eric did a fantastic job in putting the room together.”
The languages offered, besides English, are: Spanish, German, French, Italian, Norwegian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Czech, Dutch, Turkish, Polish, Arabic, Hungarian, Russian, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Slovenian, Basque, Croatian, Romanian, and Slovakian.
That pretty much covers the full gamut of nationalities and backgrounds that comprise the melting pot known as Weehawken.
In addition to the computers, the library also received six copies of The Computer Companion and Computer Quick Guides, which are teaching guides that provide information and lessons for most of the computer software.
The new computers are comprised of 20 software programs that contain enhanced research capabilities. The software packages consist of all of the Encarta Encyclopedia Programs, Microsoft Office programs and Magic School Bus educational programs.
The computers also feature programs that will help both the hearing and visually impaired patrons.
Negron said that being a grant recipient has other benefits.
“We’re able to share licensing with existing Gates Foundation computers, so that also saves money for additional programs,” Negron said. “We’re able to get all the Microsoft programs at no cost.”
The response from the first visitors has been extremely positive. A group of students from the Junior National Honor Society attended the opening.
“They explored the programs and said that they would be back,” Negron said. “We want to be able to involve the entire community in the library. If we continue to offer different programs, we can do that.”
Turner said that the increase in patrons using the library has been tremendous.
“The memberships are up by the hundreds,” Turner said. “More and more people are coming in. We’re very proud of what the library has become.”
The Bill & Melinda Gates Technology Center, located on the second floor opposite the elevator and stairs, will be open to any user who has a valid library card and the appropriate Internet/Computer Contract signed.
Children under 18 must also have their parent or guardian sign the Parent/Guardian Internet Contract. The Technology Center will be open to the public during the normal library hours except between the hours of 3:30 to 6 p.m., Monday thru Friday, when the Technology Center will be designated for children to work on homework or research projects.