Te Outrider


3 Library briefs


IMLS research brief explores who’s using public library computers The perception may be that public library computers exist to serve those without home access or without basic com-


puter skills. In reality, public access computer users largely resemble the general public in terms of age and education – and even in the overall rate of home computer and Internet access. These findings are in a new research brief from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Who’s in the Queue? A Demographic Analysis of Public Access Computer Users and Uses in U.S. Public Libraries. The report com- pares data from the University of Washington’s 2009 survey and study, Opportunity for All, with Census data collected in the same year. Some myths and facts from the report: Myth: Library computer users are a small segment of the population. Fact: One third of the American public used a library computer in 2009 – an estimated 77 million people over the age


of 14. Public access computer users largely mirror the general public in terms of age and education. Young people be- tween 14-19 were most likely to be using computers for educational purposes, users between the ages 25-54 were focused on employment and training, and older adults focused on health information. Myth: People who use library computers to access the internet are less likely to have access to computers and the Inter- net at home. Fact: The majority of library public access computer users (86 percent) reported they had “regular access to a computer and the Internet for your personal use” at home. People who lacked home access were frequent users, with 65 percent reporting that they used computers and the internet in the library at least once a week or daily. Libraries have seen continued high patron demand for public computers even as more households have added comput- ers and Internet access. This analysis seems to indicate that public library computers are more than a temporary bridge to technology whose need will fade over time. Instead, library computers have added value even to those with home access. Learn more at www.imls.gov/news/2011/062711.shtm.


Obituary for Long-time Library Advocate Leonard Clark Library advocate Leonard H. Clark of Encampment died at Valley View Healthcare in Saratoga


on June 29, 2011. He was born July 24, 1931 in Forth Worth,


Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas he entered the U.S. Air Force where he spent 21 years working in the Communications- Electronics field. In addition to various stateside assignments, he had tours of duty in Greenland,


Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1973 he made his home in En- campment where he served as Mayor and then as the Emergency Man- agement Coordinator. He was a member of the Carbon County Library Board for 12 years. After retiring from that board he continued to serve on the Carbon County Library Foundation Board for many years. He also was a member of the Library Services and Construction Act Advisory Council at the Wyoming State Library and active in the Wyoming Library Association, serving as chair of the Trustee section. “Leonard was one of the finest trustees I ever worked with,” said State Librarian Lesley Boughton. “He was a strong advocate for libraries, not only in Carbon County but throughout Wyoming. He gave generously of his time and provided sound advice. He was a true gentleman.” Memorials can be sent to Saratoga Chapter #12 Order of the Eastern Star scholarship fund, Box 641, Saratoga, WY 82331.


openings Job


Administrative Services Manager, Albany County Public Library, Laramie, WY


Head of Brinker- hoff Geology Library, University of Wyo- ming Libraries, Laramie, WY


Reference Librarian, Natrona County Public Library, Casper, WY


Library/Media Specialst, Laramie Jr. High School, Laramie, WY


July 2011


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