NCF volunteers will be present to assist people in registering for and using the NCF, scheduling computer users for one-hour sessions on the computers, answering questions, providing general instruction and assistance on using the PCs and navigating the Internet, monitoring printer use and problems, etc. Please type go helpers for more information on volunteering for this, or any other program. We plan to introduce more people to electronic community networking via regular demonstrations, training, and an on-line mentoring program. The Ottawa Public Library is a founding member of the NCF and has FreeNet terminals in each of its eight libraries across the city. Our partnership with NCF is now entering a new phase where we will work closely together to ensure equity and access to digital resources and the training to use the information to the fullest, said Barbara Clubb, Chief Librarian of the Ottawa Public Library.
Computer literacy is the key to maintaining a competitive edge in the information age.
This is another in a series of educational strategic partnerships we are developing in the Ottawa area. The centre will provide full Internet and World Wide Web access as well as electronic resources targeted specifically to the national capital region. Volunteers from the National Capital FreeNet and Microsoft will offer courses, training and assistance with the technology to members of the public, in both English and French. With 58,000 members, NCF is the second largest freenet in the world. The non-profit network won the Canadian Internet Award for Best Community Site at the recent Net 96 Conference held in Montreal.