Connect Ohio Awards Computer to Cuyahoga County Participant of Free Statewide Internet Training Program

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-214-6755 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2011

Twelve Ohioans were randomly selected to receive a new laptop computer following completion of the free computer-training program

COLUMBUS – On Thursday, July 14, Connect Ohio presented Elaine Hawkins of Cleveland with a new laptop computer during a short media event at Shaker Heights Public Library. Hawkins was selected as a winner in a random drawing following her participation in the Every Citizen Online program, a free statewide basic computer and Internet training program.

“The training was great,” said Hawkins. “I was trying to use the computer and Internet before and (the class) was a great help.”

Connect Ohio, a nonprofit public-private partnership, is distributing a total of 12 new laptop computers to Ohio adults who completed the Every Citizen Online (ECO) free basic computer-training program between April 5 and June 20, 2011. Program participants completed an online survey following the training and were entered into the random drawing giveaway.

“We are very pleased to be a partner in the ECO venture,” said Luren Dickinson, library director. “The Internet is actually a vast library – open 24 hours a day where people can find up-to-date information on almost any topic. It is critically important for libraries not only to provide access to the Internet through the use of its computers, but also to provide training. We are thrilled that someone who connected at Shaker Library will receive a free laptop. Libraries really do connect people to the world.”

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. The training consists of 2 hours each of Basic Introduction to Computers, An Introduction to the Internet, and Tools and Benefits of using the Internet. Participants are helped to establish an e-mail account and provided with additional training resources to help them continue to learn and use information available online. Connect Ohio plans to train a total of 200,000 Ohioans by program completion in December 2012.

Every Citizen Online training locations in Cuyahoga County include the following:

• Shaker Heights Public Library Registration: 216-991-2030 ext. 3185
Main Branch
16500 Van Aken Boulevard, Shaker Heights

Bertram Woods Branch
20600 Fayette Road, Shaker Heights

• Cuyahoga County Public Library
Brecksville Branch Registration: 440-526-1102
9089 Brecksville Road, Brecksville

Brooklyn Branch Registration: 216-398-4600
4480 Ridge Road, Brooklyn

Chagrin Falls Branch Registration: 440-247-3556
100 East Orange Street, Chagrin Falls

Fairview Park Branch Registration: 440-333-4700
21255 Lorain Road, Fairview

Garfield Heights Branch Registration: 216-475-8178
5409 Turney Road, Garfield Heights

Maple Heights Branch Registration: 216-475-5000
5225 Library Lane, Maple Heights

North Omsted Branch Registration: 440-777-6211
27403 Lorain Road, North Olmsted

Parma-Ridge Branch Registration: 440-888-4300
5850 Ridge Road, Parma

Solon Branch Registration: 440-248-8777
34125 Portz Parkway

Strongsville Branch Registration: 440-238-5530
18700 Westwood Drive, Strongsville

Warrensville Heights Branch Registration: 440-238-5530
22035 Clarkwood Parkway, Warrensville Heights

Southeast Branch Registration: 440-439-4997
70 Columbus Road, Bedford

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.

Contest rules and guidelines are listed on Connect Ohio’s website at http://connectoh.org/consumer_training/computer_giveaway.php or you may receive a copy by e-mailing amurphy@connectohio.org.

For more information on the Every Citizen Online program, visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training.

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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.

Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH