THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604170126
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
The debut of the Community Link among seven main public libraries in Hampton Roads on Tuesday opened the way to the Internet for all citizens.
But the Portsmouth Public Library needs some help with this project if the computer-ignorant among us are going to have free access to the information superhighway.
``We really don't have anybody here who has been trained to deal with this,'' said Susan Burton, the Main Library director. ``Gary Haddox has been able to get us set up because computers are a hobby with him.''
But Gary also is the reference librarian and has worn some other hats at the main library since staff cuts two years ago.
``I really don't know that much about computers,'' Gary told me. ``But most of all, I just don't have the time during the day.''
Burton said that when the Community Link computer becomes available in the next few days for public use, the library could use some volunteer help.
I bet there're some computer buffs out there who could help, too!
The library staff already is taxed to get all its work done and serve the public. Not only do they not have the expertise, they simply don't have time to work with the public users.
Burton said she really would like to have volunteers who would be available to help computer-ignorant folks - especially students.
They ought to be able to use the Community Link as well as those who happen to know how to access information.
In addition to volunteers at the library, the city apparently could use some help in getting more Portsmouth information into the Community Link service, which provides users with information about local attractions, among other things.
As Mayor Gloria Webb scrolled down the computer screen Tuesday at the library, we spotted a lot of information about a lot of places in Hampton Roads.
But there was not a word on Portsmouth. Why?
The city's public affairs director, Ken Wheeler, was not available to answer the question. Perhaps he is working on it, but I bet we could get it done a lot quicker if we had some volunteers from among many computer buffs in the city.
As Burton said, it's not something anybody can do. But it is something that's tailor-made for a citizen with the right expertise who wants to help the community.
Information about city services is available through Pilot Online, the computer version of The Virginian-Pilot. However, that information is mostly simple data base stuff.
We need something more flashy in the Community Link, something like Virginia Beach's Marine Sciences Museum or Norfolk's Chrysler Museum have created. They have very attractive and very sleek presentations, obviously aimed at selling the institutions as destinations for users seeking cultural and recreational activities.
If Portsmouth has nothing in the system, then people could conclude that Portsmouth has nothing to offer.
In fact, we have a lot to offer, and we need to start creating some attractive presentations about our museums and other activities.
We've logged onto the Community Link, a wonderful asset for the people of Portsmouth who otherwise could not access the information superhighway.
But we need to take advantage of everything else the project has to offer.
There are two opportunities here for citizens.
People who enjoy people and have patience with those who know less than they do about computers can volunteer to help those who would like to use the Community Link at the library.
Others, who are more interested in the technical side and who are blessed with creativity on the computer, can come forward and offer to help improve Portsmouth's electronic image. MEMO: Find Community Link on the web at http://www.communitylink.org and Pilot
Online at http://-www.-infi.net/pilot.
by CNB