Every Citizen Online Program Sees Early Success

The Every Citizen Online (ECO) program providing free basic computer and Internet training to Ohio adults launched in late December 2010, with many sub-recipients’ classes beginning in January 2011. The instructor-led and self-paced training is being offered in more than 180 locations throughout the state with the help of libraries, community colleges, and education centers.

The initial response to the ECO program has been quite positive. Many classes are full or near-full for each training session.

“We have 8 to 10 participants per class and can hold 11,” said Blythe Schubert, director of the Kate Love Simpson Morgan County Library in southeastern Ohio.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library received more than 600 phone calls inquiring about the ECO program within the first few weeks of starting classes.

“That huge number tells us in a quantitative way that there is a great need for basic computer training in our community,” said Steve Hipes, ECO project manager for the library.

Through the end of February, nearly 1,000 Ohio adults have completed the ECO training and gained the skills to communicate with friends and family members through e-mail, apply for jobs online, gain knowledge of favorite topics and hobbies, and more.

“Online bill pay would be very convenient for me,” shared Barb Queen, ECO participant at the Pioneer Career and Technical Center in northern Ohio. “I wouldn’t have to drive 15 minutes to pay my bills like I do now.”

Connect Ohio and the ECO training partners continue promoting the free program through local and state media outlets, word-of-mouth, promotional fliers and bookmarks, as well as the ECO public service announcements airing on television and radio stations and printed in 95 newspapers throughout Ohio.

To view photos from the ECO program, visit our Facebook page by clicking here.

Library reopens with new computer lab and ECO training

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.

Connect Ohio Distributes 8 New Computers to Putnam County District Public Library

Connect Ohio distributed 8 new HP Omni desktop computers to Putnam County District Library Director Kelly Ward Tuesday, January 18, 2011, as part of the Every Citizen Online program.

“These computers will be replacing old public computers throughout the county,” said Kelly Ward, library director. “This otherwise wouldn’t have been possible after budget cuts and a levy failure.”

Free computer training sessions will be provided at public libraries and community colleges throughout Ohio to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Interested adults throughout Ohio are eligible to participate in the program, which is geared toward first-time computer and broadband users. The program is titled Every Citizen Online and will run for 2-years.

Putnam County District Public Libraries are providing the self-paced training online at their multiple branch locations.

The coursework includes three sessions covering computer basics, an introduction to the Internet, and discussions about how broadband can be helpful in daily life.

For more information, call 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-4226) or visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/.

Pictured above: Connect Ohio's Heather Delany (left) with Putnam Co. District Library director Kelly Ward (right)