The Holmes County District Public Library has been offering Every Citizen Online (ECO) classes to county residents since the start of Connect Ohio’s ECO program. The library has two branches: the Central Branch, which is located in Millersburg, and the East Branch, which is located in the village of Walnut Creek.
“We are a small rural library, thus our class sizes have been small,” said Kelly Kokis, library employee and Every Citizen Online instructor. “(But) the courses are very helpful to our community. It’s a great opportunity for our patrons to get free training in the basics of computers: what they are, how they operate, what is involved with connecting to the Internet, the difference between dial-up and broadband, and how to safely browse the Internet.”
When participation numbers started out low, Kokis and library staff sought out various avenues to raise awareness of the free training. They have an announcement printed regularly in the local newspaper, promote through the library’s quarterly newsletter, have utilized the local radio station for publicity, and reached out to local businesses to help spread the word. What Kokis discovered through communicating with those in the area has not only helped fill training classes, but is providing a service to Holmes County residents.
“We found a common theme among older adults in our area. They didn’t want to attend the classes because they felt ashamed about not knowing anything about the computer,” shared Kokis.
Kokis and library staff decided to move the training. About a half mile down the road from the Walnut Creek library branch, the Every Citizen Online class was offered at a senior-living community on a Saturday and included two sessions with a break for lunch.
“The break between the sessions seems to assist with absorbing the information,” said Kokis.
The change in location and class structure was a success. The class held May 7 was full, with 10 senior adults and one younger adult.“A lot of these things about computers I didn’t know,” said Lesley Smith, a senior citizen and ECO class participant. “I will be using the Internet much more often now.”
“I’m hitting the wrong buttons and need to know which buttons to hit when,” said class participant and senior Bryan Teate. “I like to e-mail with my friends and family. I still have a lot more to learn, but this is just great.”
“I was so happy the library was offering the class,” said Ruth Beachy, a 36-year-old ECO participant.
Beachy says the class exceeded her expectations. She has a friend who asked her if the classes were helpful for her. Beachy said she “definitely recommends” her friend take the class.
The Holmes County District Public Library has also found another unique opportunity.
“As word has spread about the classes, we have seen the interest rise among certain Amish communities,” said Kokis.
Holmes County has a large Amish community and some in this community are interested in learning the basics of computer and the Internet through the library’s ECO classes. Kokis said that whether they attend depends on if their church or employer will allow them to participate, but it’s yet another interested group Kokis and her staff have reached and are helping to bridge the technological gap.
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