Here in Arkansas and across the country, community libraries continue to show the public that they are more than a place to check out a book or flip through a magazine. We are a hub for learning, a pleasant environment for spending more time than money, a way to go online, and a venue for creating and enjoying the arts.
Since our inception more than 70 years ago, the William F. Laman Public Library has been grateful to be part of this exclusive club and serve the residents of North Little Rock and Pulaski County. We've embraced our role to help our visitors discover more, continue their educations, and connect with each other.
Today, the library that once stood at only two stories--with books on the first level and living quarters on the second--serves thousands of people. We offer a range of services and events for children, teens, and adults on a daily basis and showcase different exhibits, whether it's the Hubble Traveling Exhibit or local high school photography.
But we know that the role libraries play to educate the greater public is ever-evolving, especially when it comes to technology. According to the American Library Association, nearly three-quarters of public libraries assist their community members with job applications and interviewing skills, 90 percent help their patrons learn basic digital skills, and just under half provide access and assistance to entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses.
During the last few decades, we've focused on giving members of our community increased access to the Internet and free Wi-Fi. Additionally, our Laman Information Networking Creativity Center includes 50 computers, and on a weekly basis we offer computer instruction classes and Tick Tock Tech Time, when adult patrons learn to use their mobile devices.
Offering digital training for our visitors is important to us because we want to help them succeed in the workforce. According to the National Skills Coalition, middle-skill jobs--jobs that call for a high school diploma--account for 58 percent of Arkansas' labor market, but only 48 percent of the state's workers are trained to the middle-skill level.
This week, we are building on our focus to close the digital skills gap by hosting Grow with Google.
The Grow with Google nationwide tour is the tech company's initiative to help create economic opportunities for Americans through digital skills training. On Wednesday the tour will stop at the William F. Laman Public Library Main Branch, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to offer workshops and one-on-one trainings for small businesses, job seekers, and anyone else who wants to improve their know-how. Admission is free. To register visit events.withgoogle.com.
Google trainers will also provide our librarians, as well as librarians from nearby areas and trainers from other organizations, with the tools and resources to provide this training on an ongoing basis.
Libraries are helping educate children, teens, and adults. We enjoy opening our doors to you every day and hope you will visit us to learn more about how we're evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly moving world. We look forward to next week's special event and hope to see you soon.
Crystal Gates is executive director of the William F. Laman Public Library.
Editorial on 06/16/2019