Boynton center gives children Internet access
Monica Rodriguez, 10, is glad to have a chance to learn more about singer Mariah Carey, but she doesn't know much about the federal money that makes her Internet access possible. Monica is one of a number of youngsters who gets to spend time on the Internet at the Ezell Hester Jr. Community Center. The center's computer room is stocked with computers purchased with a $48,244 federal Library Services and Technology Act grant administered by the State Library of Florida.
A. D. Henehan Jr., Boynton Beach assistant library director, applied for the grant two years ago. The funding came through in October of the same year. Since that time, hardware and software has been acquired for the computer rooms at the Hester Center, the city's senior center and the library. Installation was delayed until renovations were completed at the Hester Center. A total of 28 computers were installed at the three locations in March.
The bulk of the equipment - 20 computers - went to the Hester Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd., and staff has been trained to help computer users of all ages. Henehan said that all the computers can access information from the library, as well as from around the world on the Internet. Six new computers went to the senior center and two were added to the library.
"The program is really like an advertisement for the library," because it encourages residents to use the library's online and traditional services, Henehan said. He said the three sites will serve at least 12,500 people during the first year of full operation. The goal is for residents of all ages and backgrounds to learn basic computer skills, including searching the Internet, library database searches, word-processing and basic spreadsheets, Henehan said. The basic skills are expected to be the core of an expanded schedule of computer activities at different skill levels.
One recent afternoon, Monica and another student, Simone Edgerton, 10, were learning all they could from Mariah Carey's Web site. The two youngsters were copying the singer's song lyrics and reading her biography. They maneuvered their way around the Internet with skill. "This is really fun," Monica said. Both girls say they are able to use the computers to help with homework assignments.
Nobody could be happier with the new facilities than the Hester Center's manager, Mary DeGraffenreidt. "We hope to add some instructors to the computer program," DeGraffenreidt said. A mentoring program pairs high-school age students with younger children as they learn to use the computers.
Brandon Andrews, 15, a student at Boynton Beach High School, was paired with Raymond Boone, 9, who attends Poinciana Elementary School. The two followed the electronic path to the National Basketball Association and some of their favorite players. Most days, at least a half-dozen elementary schoolchildren can be found in the computer room getting help from older, more computer proficient high-schoolers. The older children are mostly enrolled in a program offered by the Juvenile Transition Center, under the direction of Stephanie Mingo-McKoy.
One of the mentors is Chris Andrews, 17, of Boynton Beach, who was guiding Levon Floyd, 10, in the subtleties of the Internet on a recent day. They were exploring basketball Web sites, but planned to do homework research as well. (Sun Sentinel)
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