Geraldine Robinson (foreground) of Wexler Elementary School and Djene Doumboya from Helen Grant Elementary School try out one of the computers at the Technology Access Center in the Stetson Library.

Technology center at Stetson Library
will help to bridge 'digital divide'

Yale took another step in helping to reduce the so-called "digital divide" in technology in January when it joined with Southern New England Telephone (SNET) and the New Haven Free Public Library to unveil a new Technology Access Center (TAC) at the Stetson Library in the Dixwell neighborhood. Designed to increase access to information technology for the New Haven community at large, the TAC was created with the help of Yale experts through a seed grant of $75,000 from SNET's "Links to Learning -- Closing the Digital Divide" initiative. "Providing access to electronic information technology is one of the most important issues for our society today," says President Richard C. Levin. "Yale is proud to share our human and other resources with the New Haven Free Public Library to open this Technology Access Center for our neighbors in the Dixwell community." Bruce D. Alexander, vice president and director of Yale's Office of New Haven and State Affairs, adds: "We support Stetson Library because it is the heart of the Dixwell neighborhood. Young people are our future and we must give them the tools to succeed. That's why this TAC is so important in closing the technology gap. Yale, SNET and the city of New Haven are helping to close the gap with this center." Yale donated 140 computers to the program. Of these, 23 are being used in the TAC and the balance are slated for other uses within the library. Six of the TAC computers operate on a cutting-edge wireless network. Some are stationed on handicap-accessible mobile carts and can be used anywhere in the library. TAC patrons will be able to access the Internet, establish e-mail service, conduct online research, and learn basic computer, word processing and desktop publishing skills. The TAC will be open to the public 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The TAC is the result of a close-knit collaboration between the partners. SNET provided the Digital Divide grant and high-speed Internet access, while Yale donated the TAC's computer equipment. In addition, Yale personnel, in cooperation with the New Haven Public Schools, created and administered an intensive training program for the "Youth Tech Corps," a group of students from Hill Career Regional High School who will staff the center. Through the training program, the Youth Tech Corps members sharpened their skills in word processing, desktop publishing and efficient use of the Internet. In addition to the Youth Tech Corps, another group of students from Career High School has developed a marketing plan designed to attract patrons from under-served communities to the TAC. "Students play an integral, unique role in the TAC," says Michael Morand, assistant vice president of governmental affairs at Yale and chair of the board of directors of the New Haven Free Public Library. "We are thrilled to help prepare our youth to become mentors and coaches for the Technology Access Center. "Thanks to the support from SNET and Yale University," Morand adds, "the New Haven Free Public Library was given an unprecedented opportunity to develop a prototype TAC that will serve as a model center for others throughout Connecticut." -- By Thomas R. Violante T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Mathematician Ronald Coifman wins National Medal of Science DeVita helping to shape nation's future strategy in the war on cancer Concert by Yale Band will recall Glenn Miller era Hustler publisher hails freedom of speech Journalist Jonathan Rauch decries special interest groups Influential architecture journal celebrates 50th year Research shows patients with mental illnesses may get inadequate care after a heart attack Discovery holds promise for reversing brain, spinal injury Interdisciplinary studies to be focus of conference Event will explore challenges of city management Colgate-Palmolive official to discuss global strategy YALE CANCER CENTER NEWS Family history puts even nonsmokers at risk for cancer, says study Link shown between number of lymph nodes and survival from breast cancer Technology center at Stetson Library will help to bridge 'digital divide' Africana specialist Woodson is new curator of Yale collection Researchers find new stars in Milky Way's 'halo' New drug to treat ailment that causes blindness is tested Park ranger chosen as Yale Younger Poet Alvin M. Liberman, specialist in psychology of speech, dies Yale students will 'Stand Up and Dance' to make a difference Special program celebrates modernist artists of WWI 'blast' Comedy and characterizations combine in 'To the Top Top Top!' one-woman show New SOM program examines changing economic landscape White House recalls the legacy of C. Vann Woodward Concerts raise funds to aid victims of Taiwan earthquake Yale Scoreboard . . . In the News . . . Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page