The Northside Branch of the Chillicothe-Ross Public Library closed its doors in August of 2009 due to statewide budget cuts. The library’s beautiful building meant a great deal to the community, which rallied support and passed an operating levy in spring 2010. The branch was reopened in January, 17 months after its closure, with a special addition – a computer lab.
The library had few computers for public access and no computer lab was available for large groups or instructional sessions. When Chillicothe-Ross Public Library Director Jennifer McKell was approached by Connect Ohio to partner for the Every Citizen Online (ECO) program, she jumped at the opportunity.
“We would not have the computer lab without the Every Citizen Online program,” said McKell. “It was great timing. We had just passed the levy and were preparing to reopen the branch.”
Through the ECO program, the library was able to purchase 7 laptop computers and 3 iPads. They plan for the laptops to be used for public access, as well as ECO computer introduction courses.
“The response has been phenomenal for the ECO courses,” said McKell.
All of the library’s scheduled ECO training classes are full. They offer several classes per week and can have up to 7 registrants per class. McKell attributes the program interest to the current state of the economy.
“Many people are out of work and want to learn computer skills for job placement,” McKell said. “Also, people want to keep in touch with family and grandkids.”
Teresa Myers, the library’s branch manager, says the age range and the computer skill level for those taking the courses have been diverse. Participants range from 30-years-old to seniors. Some already have e-mail accounts and use them weekly, while others do not know how to operate a mouse or use a search engine.
Russell Mason completed the 6-hour ECO training in January. He volunteers his time in ministry at the local prison and would like to learn to use Facebook to keep in touch with those he’s built a relationship with there.
“I get lost on the thing,” Mason explains when talking about using the Internet. “I want to be able to operate the computer, learn the basics.”
Jim and Jan Keeton also completed ECO training at the Northside Branch. Jim wanted to learn e-mail to communicate with his kids who live out of town. Jan volunteers at a local center for aging. 
“I compile newsletters for the organization and use the computer often,” Jan said. “But I’d like to enhance those skills and learn to make the newsletters look more professional.”
Not only has the Ross County community embraced the re-opened library, but they’ve welcomed the ECO program with an overwhelming interest in completing the training.
To see additional photos from the Chillicothe-Ross County Library ECO training class, click here.
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