Act II

Job Searcher: Hi. I need your help. I have to update my resume, but my printer is down. Do you have any computers that print?

Librarian 1: Yes, you can use the computers in our business section.

Job Searcher: How much does it cost, and how can I sign up?

Librarian 1: Do you have a library card?

Job Searcher: No.

Librarian 1: If you live, work, or go to school in Nashua, you are eligible for a library card; otherwise you can get a computer card. You can get either at the circulation desk up front. Then, you can just walk up to a computer and log on with the last 5 digits of the bar code on the back of your card. The pin is the last four digits of your phone number. You can use the computer for one hour each day, and if no one is waiting for a computer, the system will automatically extend your time. Once you log off after working for an hour or more, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to log on again. Using the computer is free, but you do have to pay to print.

Job Searcher: And that costs...

Librarian 1: Ten cents for black and white; twenty-five for color. You can set up a print account once you get your card.

Job Searcher: A print account--how does that work?

Librarian 1: I'll need the last five digits of your card. You have to give us at least a dollar each time you add money to your account. Your printing will be deducted from that dollar, and whatever you don't use will be available for next time. The balance is not refundable.

John Searcher: It's like a debit card. I'll be right back.

Mother of a Soon-To-Be College Student: Hi. This is a little embarrassing. My daughter is going away to college, and she wants to be able to e-mail me, but I don't know anything about computers. They scare me. A lot.

Librarian 2: We offer free computer classes. They're one-time classes, but you're welcome to take them more than once.

Mother: That would be great. Do you have anything really simple?

Librarian 2: You can start with Computer Basics. It's designed for people who have no experience using computers. We go over the different parts of the computer, what you will see when you turn it on, and how to use the mouse. Once you take that class, you can move on to the Internet, and then our Yahoo E-Mail class.

Mother: That would be great. When are they offered?

Librarian 2: Here's our schedule and a brochure about the classes. Generally, we teach classes Monday through Thursday at either 10:30 or 2:30. The classes typically run between 1 1/2 and 2 hours.

Job Searcher: Excuse me, did I just hear you say that you offer free computer classes?

Librarian 2: Yes. Here's the brochure and schedule.

Job Searcher: I wonder...The last time I looked for a job, you found everything in the paper. Now, with the Internet, it's so hard to know exactly what to do. I feel like I'm missing something if I just check the Sunday papers. I'm familiar with the Internet and E-mail, but I'm a little intimidated by all of the job resources out there. I just don't know how to approach them.

Librarian 2: You're in luck. Our newest class is all about Online Job Searching.

Job Searcher: Wow. That's great. Sign me up!

Librarian 1: Hi. How are you?

High School Student: Ok, but I have to write a paper and I don't have my own computer. My friend said that you have computers here specifically for homework.

Librarian 1: The computers in the alcoves are reserved as Teen Homework computers from 3-9 Monday through Friday, and all day on weekends during the school year. When you come in, you have to sign up at the "Q" right here next to the reference desk. Once the "Q" assigns you to a computer, you can log in at that computer.

High School Student: Thanks. I didn't know how I was going to get this paper done.

Librarian 1: You're welcome. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Adult Computer User: Hi. I need to get onto a computer, but they're all full.

Librarian 2: I can put you on the waiting list. I know some people here have been on for at least an hour, so a computer should be free within the next 15 minutes.

Librarian 1: They're all full?

Librarian 2: They are. It has been busy all day. A lot of people have been using the wireless access as well.

Librarian 1: I don't know what all of these people would do if we didn't have public computers.

End of Act II

Don't miss out on the conclusion of Why Libraries Are Still Relevant next Monday.