State Senator Joe Schiavoni Visits Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Every Citizen Online Free Adult Computer-Training Class

For Immediate Release

June 20, 2011

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

Nearly 600 adults have already received free computer and Internet training through Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County locations

COLUMBUS – On Saturday, June 18, State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D) of Ohio’s 33rd Senate District visited the Every Citizen Online free adult computer and Internet training class held at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County’s Newport Branch, located at 3730 Market Street, Youngstown. Also in attendance were Jeff Beebe, Connect Ohio state operations manager, Gary Simon, library technical services director, and Wayne Bartholomew, library computer class trainer.

“I believe many who want to learn to use the computer or the Internet aren’t aware of the powerful resources, such as this class, that are available to them,” said Senator Schiavoni. “The class was very beneficial to those participating and the instructor did a great job.”

“These classes are important in helping our residents become more adept with technology,” said Carlton A. Sears, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County director. “So many people either do not have computer access or do not fully appreciate what the Internet can provide that will be helpful in their lives. Basic computer and Internet skills are essential to functioning in contemporary society. Without this training, people can get left behind. What better place than a library for people to learn how to access information? The service is free, which enables everyone to participate.”

The Every Citizen Online program offers free basic computer and Internet training to adults in Ohio in an effort to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 200 libraries, community colleges, education and career centers across the state to offer the training, including the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Already, more than 6,000 Ohio adults have taken advantage of this free program. Of those adults, nearly 600 have received a portion of the training and 231 have completed the training in full through the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County offers training at several branches. Adults can register for the free training by contacting the library at (330) 744-8636.

The goal of the Every Citizen Online project, funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA)’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, is to train more than 200,000 state residents by early 2013 and to generate 75,000 new broadband adopters in Ohio. The scope of the 3-year program includes 80,000 training hours, more than 2,000 computers provided to libraries and community colleges, the immediate creation of 136 jobs, and a projected increase in direct economic growth of $36 million annually.

Learn more about the Every Citizen Online program by visiting eco.connectohio.org.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries, and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.




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