Franklin County Every Citizen Online Participant Wins Laptop Computer

On Wednesday, July 27, Connect Ohio presented Mr. Summit of Columbus with a new laptop computer during a short event at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Karl Road branch. Summit is the twelfth winner to receive the new computer after being selected in a random drawing following participation in the Every Citizen Online (ECO) program, a free statewide basic computer and Internet training program.

Mr. Summit says he often frequented the library to use their computers and Internet access before taking the ECO training.

“I really liked the training,” said Summit. “We now have a computer and Internet at home.”

“As soon as I heard the winner’s name, I remembered Mr. Summit from class,” said Stephen Kennedy, librarian and ECO instructor. “It’s great to see the knowledge all of the students gain from class one to class three, including Mr. Summit.”

Ohio adults who completed the Every Citizen Online free basic computer-training program between April 5 and June 20, 2011 and completed an online survey following the training were entered into the random drawing giveaway.

“We’ve had over 700 adults take the Every Citizen Online training through the Columbus Metropolitan Library thus far,” said Steve Hipes, Columbus Metropolitan Library team leader and ECO program manager. “The program’s been going really well.”

Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 200 libraries, community colleges, education and career centers across the state to offer the Every Citizen Online training. More than 8,000 adults have already taken advantage of the training since it launched in late December 2010. Connect Ohio plans to train a total of 200,000 Ohioans by program completion in December 2012.

For more information on Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Every Citizen Online training classes, call 614-645-2275. Classes are currently offered at the following branches:

• Main branch

• Gahanna

• Hilltop

• Karl Road

• Linden

• Northern Lights

• Reynoldsburg

Other Franklin County training locations include:
• Columbus State Community College
Center for Workforce Development
Registration: 614-287-5858

• Grandview Heights Public Library
Registration: 614-287-5858

• Ohio State University Learning Center
Godman Guild and Columbus Urban League
Registration: 614-292-7196

Pictured left to right:
Heather Delany, Connect Ohio state operations manager, Tony Howard, Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) service area manager, Mr. Summit, computer winner, Stephen Kennedy, CML librarian and ECO instructor, Steve Hipes, CML team leader and ECO program manager

Additional training locations can be found by calling 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-42260) or by visiting http://connectoh.org/consumer_training/training_facilities.php.