A year ago, I wasn't able to do that. A former secretary, Eve had never used computers in her work, but after retiring, she ventured into her local community technology center out of curiosity. She stayed on to learn about computers, the Internet, and electronic publishing, and now shares her growing technical knowledge with others at the center. A longitudinal analysis of a dozen users over two years, it confirms that CTCs play an important and ongoing role in peoples' lives. Participants quickly come to rely on the technical assistance, high-end equipment, and the social and educational opportunities the centers provide.
Most users return regularly for additional support and training or as teachers themselves.
Computer classes are available, but so is hands-on help. The new study, directed by Jan Ellis, builds on two earlier CTC studies she and June Mark led in 1997 and 1998. Users reported increased feelings of autonomy, competency, and confidence as they tapped into center resources to build their job skills, pursue long-standing interests, enter the civic life of their communities, and set and meet educational goals. Although women and girls are generally held to have less interest in technology than men and boys, nearly two-thirds of center users are female. Close to two-thirds of the users earn below average incomes and more than half have no other access to information technology.