The Library Has a New 'Wow' Factor

The new children’s computer center at the Pauline Haass Library offers new technology that will attract children to learning and exploring. 

Called “Connect! Play! Explore!” this area has three new touch screen computers with 100 programs geared toward children from toddlers to students learning to type on a keyboard.  The computer center also has three Internet computers where children can use search engines, email, Facebook, and other websites. 

Homework assignments can also be printed at the computer center.

 “These computers especially promote learning for younger children,” parent Latania Bradley said. “At home we don’t have a touch screen, which appears to be the new way of technology.  Touch screens give children a new way to engage their mind with the computer,”

Funded by the Pauline Haass Library Foundation, the new computer center increases the number of computer stations available for children from four to six, while consolidating them under a large yellow umbrella.

“We wanted to reduce the physical space designated for technology while increasing the ‘wow’ factor of the area and providing a focal point to pull people into the room,” said Kerry Pinkner, Head of Youth Services at the library.

Pinkner says that children love the color, sound and animation of the games, and probably don’t realize the programs promote learning and exploring. 

“It’s so much fun to watch Clifford blow up balloons in the game Clifford’s Phonics, and you’re actually learning new words at the same time,” Pinkner said.

Library patron Leila Lalicata and her two daughters sixth-grader Andrea and fourth-grader Anna, are impressed with the new computer center.

“We’ve been here for forty-five minutes and we haven’t left the computers,” Lalicata said. “Using the computers encourages many kids to read more, because they would rather read on the Internet than in books.”

Andrea agreed with her mother, but Anna said that her favorite part of visiting the library is still to find new books and showed her mother the three she picked out.

Even though all of the parents and children that were at the library on Tuesday have the Internet at home, they would prefer to come to the library to use the computers.

“Coming to the library gets you out of the house,” Andrea Lalicata said. “Plus the Internet is quicker and the computer has more programs.”