Friday Funny 08/18 (Off to the Library)

I love to read.

We do more than read at the library. Since moving to Denali Rose, all of our internet needs come from our ATT cell data plan. We can't afford to do most of the updates that all of our devices require, so we park ourselves at the library for an afternoon, and use their free wifi.

Wrangell's Irene Ingle Library, is a modern facility, with a terrific selection of books, DVD's, magazines, newspapers, children's section, and checkout equipment.

Irene Ingle Library in Wrangell.

This summer, we have had to carefully pick our times to visit. When a cruise ship comes in, many of the passengers beeline it for the wifi, and it gets crowded. That's when the wifi sloooows down to a crawl. Cruise ships are the smaller ones, and don't come to Wrangell every day, so some days are better than others. Last winter, of course, no ships, kids are in school, most folks at their jobs, and we have it all to ourselves.

Bill, catching up on "Cruising World" magazine.

Watching the updates roll by.

We have three computers, three ipads, two cell phones, and my kindle. Most of these devices are used for navigation, or backups to the navigation. That's why it's important that we keep the weather, and the navigational aids up to date. There are power strips located at every seating area, so power to devices is readily available.

In my previous life, (in which I wore formal office clothing), one of my last projects, was to work with an outstanding group of people who were awarded a large federal grant. The program was named "OWL", for Online With Libraries.

We had funds and sponsorship from:

• US Department of Commerce, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
• The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• The Rasmuson Foundation
• Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

We worked to bring as large an internet connection to 96 libraries as we could afford, and new computers, laptops, digital learning, staff training, and video conferencing. I'll make the story short, and just say there were challenges, meetings, setbacks, and successes. 

Here's a link to a short youtube video that the Gates Foundation made in Craig, Alaska, about the program. Craig is a small fishing community on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.  

Libraries: Expanding Boundaries, and Shrinking Borders.

I had no idea at the time, that later, I would be using, and reaping the benefits of the hard work that we put into this project. Hooray for serendipity! 

Yes, like this!

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.