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Computer Volunteers Needed We have our computer lab set up and are ready to offer very
basic computer introduction on a drop-in basis. We are looking for
volunteers to provide the Once we have volunteers confirmed we can begin to advertise. In addition to our clients and volunteers there are a lot of people out there who can’t afford to have a computer of their own and if they aren’t working they aren’t getting computer experience. They don’t know what courses to take because they don’t know anything about computers. It’s sort of a “chicken and egg” thing. We are hoping that with some basic instruction and the opportunity to practice on these computers they will be able to make an informed decision about courses they might take. 
Speaking of Computers We are working with Nanaimo Recycling Exchange, Harewood Community Schools, and a number of other community partners to develop a computer recycling and distribution centre. The facility will accept donations of computers, printers, etc., clean and fix them up, load some basic software and distribute them to families and individuals who would not be able to afford to have one. These are older computers that businesses and individuals are getting rid of. We will also sell excess parts, old computer manuals, etc. to help defray some of the costs. N.A.L.D. I can’t say it enough. Your very best source for information on literacy and links to literacy related and other educational sites is the National Adult Literacy Database. Kyuquot We are working with Susan Plensky, a school trustee in Kyuquot, to provide additional books for their school. Susan has sent us a book request list via Email and our bookstore is working to fill the list. Her father will pick the books up and they will arrange for them to go to Kyuquot. This is a remote first nations’ village on the west coast of the island. We hope to be doing this on a regular basis. If we get the computer recycling program going we may be able to provide computers as well. Bookstore The bookstore is getting a lot busier now that the Port Theatre is open and the construction is finished. More people are seeing our sign at the rear entrance. The inventory is turning over rapidly so that when you go in you always see new titles. There is a large collection of vintage paperbacks that are moving out quickly and they are continuing the $2.00 a bag sale in the sale section. You can get a lot of books in a bag for $2.00. The regular sale prices are 25¢ for paperbacks and 50¢ for hard cover. 
You can donate books by going to the rear entrance of the bookstore on Gordon St. behind Harbour Park Mall, or if you just havea few you can leave them in the yellow book boxes in Harbour Park Mall, Country Club Centre and Rutherford Mall. Our thanks to the Rotary Daybreak Club for keeping tabs on the boxes, emptying them regularly and bringing the books to the store. Born to Read We are in the process of imitating a great program from C.A.L.L.S. in Courtenay. They rounded up sponsors and produce a cloth bag, with a drawing of a teddy bear holding a sign that says Born to Read. Inside is a child’s book, a child’s t-shirt that has the same teddy bear holding a sign that says Read to me every day and some information on reading to your children, information on the library and some gift certificates. These bags are presented to all new parents on the birth of their baby. They are not given the bag in the hospital; they are given a letter telling them to pick it up at the local Public Health Unit. We will be working with the Nanaimo and District Teacher’s Association who currently present a book to all newborns. We will also be looking for sponsors for the rest of the items. |
instruction.
You can pick your times and days, about two hours at a time, once a
week It’s “very” basic instruction, e.g. “This is
a computer, this is how you turn it on, this is the keyboard, this is
the monitor, this is the printer”. Explain the difference between
hardware and software. Get them started on typing tutor and word
processing, maybe show them a spread sheet.