Sming with a Swing

On July 27th, we told you a little bit about Betty Smingler, after whom our children's room is named. Well last week as we were digging through the library archives, we found lots more information about her. Click on the small pictures to enlarge these articles about Betty Smingler's work at the library, as well as the photograph of the children's room dedication ceremony.

Technology #2

This week's post is a continuation of last week's discussion about library technology over the years. We found some interesting pamphlets and Board meeting notes from 1983-84 regarding computer purchases and upgrades. Click on each image to get the full-page view.

Public Computers

On your last trip to the DeWitt Community Library, you may have taken advantage of our public computer terminals, thereby unwittingly becoming part of our 25-year history of providing this service to library users. That's right -- 25 years! Sure, we currently use the latest in computer and Internet technology to bring you information at the speed of light, but back in March of 1983 we were just getting our feet wet. That was the year the Board of Trustees asked the DeWitt Rotary for funds to purchase an Apple II Plus computer for patrons of the library.

In the minutes of the March 15, 1983 Trustees meeting, the secretary recorded that "An orientation, validation session, on the computer was given to members of the Board by Janet. To use the computer one must be validated." Janet Lomicka, the library Director, helped set up rules for computer use, which included a valid library card, as well as attending an orientation program (required no matter how much experience patrons may have had with computers).

Back when we got our first computer, we had a weekly sign-up and patrons could reserve a maximum of 1 hour per week on the computer. Fast-forward to 1997, when the Annual Director's Report states that two new computers were purchased: one for a CD-ROM station with a five-CD changer, and one for future Internet access. These stations were available for 1-hour time slots per day, with the option to sign up for an additional hour if needed.

In April 1998, we began to offer Internet access through a connection with the Onondaga County Public Library; and in May of that year OCPL also began providing database access, meaning patrons can now search hundreds of journals, newspapers, and reference books from their home computers 24 hours a day. In 2000, we got Road Runner High-speed Internet, and in 2005 we added free wireless access for any patron who brings in an Internet-ready laptop. Our sign-ups have changed quite a bit, as well, because since early this year we have used a program called CybraryN, which allows patrons to sign themselves up for 1-hour time slots right on the computer, meaning we can do away with our old paper schedules. Any way you slice it, your DCL has been on the cutting edge of computer technology, to provide our patrons with increased research and reference options for a quarter of a century!