| A lot of our readers use libraries as their primary source for getting
on line to either surf the web or get email. We hadn't used it much because
we had been lucky enough to either have modems available at campgrounds
or good cell coverage so I could use my phone connected to the lap top
to get mail. And until we quit saving emails for our Letters and/or Coffee
Break sections it was easier to use my own computer.
Just recently while we were in Vermont (with poor cell coverage and
campgrounds with poor set ups for getting email) I happened to discover
the joy of libraries; it happened quite easily. We were walking around
Middlebury, Vermont, and noticed their big, beautiful, library. We went
in and I asked if I could go on line. I was given a disk which allowed
me to use one of their many computers for one half hour. I read and answered
email, checked a few of my favorite web sites while Ron read The Wall
Street Journal. What a treat!!! It was really better than using my
own computer because they have direct fast access in a comfortable setting.
When I use modems in campgrounds they discourage our being on long enough
to surf the web; we download email and get off. In the library I had plenty
of time to do all I wanted to do.
We used to get questions all the time about how to get email while on
the road. It doesn't matter which provider you use (AOL, Earthlink, MSN,
or dozens of others) they all have their own web site where you can sign
in then type your user name and password then look at, answer and send
email. It is as simple as that. The library will be missing one thing though
and that is the address book that is on your home computer. You should
have on hand your personal email addresses if you plan to write email other
than ones you will answer. Our new email address at Yahoo is easy to use
because I just go to my yahoo then type in my user name and password.
When it comes up I see the page I set up at Yahoo which has the articles
I like to read, the weather reports I like to see and so on. There in the
library I feel quite at home. Many different web search engines offer personalized
home pages which you can access anywhere.
You don't have to have a library card to use the libraries and you don't
have to be staying in the town where the library is located. We were just
driving around one day and stopped for lunch in a charming little town.
We happened to park in front of the library so after lunch I went in and
used their computer while Ron read the paper. Every library we have been
in so far has been very friendly and there has been no waiting to get on
a computer.
 
While in St. Johnsbury (northeastern Vermont) we came upon a most beautiful
library. The St. Johnsbury
Athenaeum is more than a library. It is a private, non profit public
library and art gallery named for Athena, the goddess of wisdom and art.
A National Historic Landmark, the Athenaeum has served as a center of culture
for 130 years. It is home to a permanent collection of over 100 19th century
paintings. The Athenaeum is the legacy of the Fairbanks family of St. Johnsbury,
inventors and manufacturers of the world's first platform scale. With his
wealth Horace Fiarbanks assembled works of art including copies of the
old masters and created the center.
 
After I got email, Ron and I viewed all of the beautiful paintings in the
art gallery and we had a nice little talk with the library director, Lisa
von Kann who told us that the library will be closing in October for nearly
a year so that the plumbing and heating can be upgraded. The books will
be moved to a building nearby but the paintings will not be available for
the period of time that the building is closed. If you are in the area
next year, take a peek at this warm, friendly library. I especially loved
the spiral staircases (upper right picture).
Even if a campground has a modem, I plan to search out the neighborhood
libraries and use them often. Many who are on the road tell us that they
only get email either on their computers or with Pocketmail and never bother
with the web. How sad; the library is just down the street and a great
resource for lots of things. Just do it: it's so easy.
|
