Shelby Community Library will be hosting a special open House. Sign up for prizes and free refreshments. Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to show off its 6 new computers and other updated technology received through the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities project.

The computers are installed and ready for use by the public. The computers can be used free of charge to access health information, hunt for jobs, explore small business options, take advantage of educational opportunities, and many other uses.

The new computers and furnishings are valued at $11,795.

The broadband technology grant presents and unprecedented opportunity for many Nebraska public libraries to upgrade their public computing capacity for serving community resident,” said Rod Wagner, Nebraska Library Commission Director. “Technology enhancements will result in measurable increases in use of library computers for E-Government, learning, employment information and more. The ultimate benefit goes to the many Nebraskans who will have greater access to library computers and high-speed connectivity networks for personal, education, and job-related needs.”

Library director Laura Alt said the new lap-tops and other equipment enhances the computer center. The laptops will enable the users to move to any spot in the library. Now there is no waiting to use the computers. The Public Computer Center is an exciting addition to our community. We will provide free access to the Internet along with free training for beginning users.

This project was supported in part by the Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.