By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough Public Library Director Maureen Ambrosino holds one of the new laptops.
Photo/Bonnie Adams
Westborough – There’s no doubt that technology can make our lives easier. There is also no doubt that for those who did not grow up with it, as many of our children have, it can be daunting. But in Westborough, thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Westborough Public Library who recently donated six laptop computers to the library, it will now be a little bit easier.
The laptops were donated, according to Maureen Ambrosino, the library’s director, to support the “Discover Your Chapter: Lifelong Learning” grant that the library recently received. The grant was written by Donna Martel, adult services librarian, and is funded through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners with funds from the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a federal source of library funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The program will be geared to Westborough residents ages 50 and over and will help those residents learn about popular social media sites such as Facebook and Pinterest, how to download e-books, and use library databases and Microsoft Office.
On March 18, during a short ceremony during the Friends monthly meeting, Ambrosino formally unveiled the laptops.
“It’s hard to teach technology hands-on without technology,” she said. “So [we] were delighted when the Friends voted to support this project. Thank you from the bottom of all of our hearts.”
The grant program will run until June, Ambrosino said. After that, all patrons will be able to utilize the laptops in the library.
“This will almost double the amount we currently have,” she added.
For more information on the grant program for residents ages 50 and over, contact Martel at 508-366-3050.