There was a celebration at the Julia Boyer Reinstein Library on Losson Road in Cheektowaga Tuesday.
It marked the one year anniversary of the Cheektowaga Public Library - Public Computer Center. The center's project manager tells WBFO News about free, public access to computing services.
The Cheektowaga Library was one of 30- libraries in the state that received a more than $244,000 grant. It was provided by the New York State Library Broadband Technology Program.
Yvonne Maute is the public computer center project manager. She says the funding allowed more than 900-citizen to access free computer services over the past year.
"We help a broad spectrum of the population. Seniors who don't know how to operate a computer," said Maute. "We work with many students who are either laid off or never had computers before. We've also taught people already on their job who need to improve their office skills."
The computer center features both desk top and laptop computers with high speed broadband access. The center also offers computer training and job assistance programs.
"We're finding there are so many people who have had a job for 20 to 30 years and their plant has closed down and they find they need to know computer skills just to even apply for a new job," said Maute.
And there was enough grant money to open a second public computer center last month at the Anna M. Reinstein Memorial Library on Harlem Road also in Cheektowaga.