Tri-Cities, Wash. – Libraries are evolving to fit the digital age. It’s more than keeping up with the times, however, it’s also about continuing to give the community access to relevant information and resources.
“Being able to come to a place and be able to have the same access as everyone else or kind of put you on a more equal playing field is extremely important to us and our mission,” Mid-Columbia Libraries Associate Director of Communications Carlos Orozco said.
For those who can’t afford or don’t have access to Wi-Fi, computers or even just a place to charge their own devices at home, libraries give them the ability to tap into a network of things that can aid or entertain them.
The internet acts the way classified ads used to for job seekers as job offers start to leave print and head online according to Orozco.
“If you don’t have access to the Internet, it’s almost impossible to get a job nowadays. If you can’t print a resume or you can’t work on one through Word it’s very limiting,” Orozco said.
Printers and Microsoft Office applications like Word are also available on the computers.
People can even ask for flash drives given to the library in collaboration with Work Source to help people understand the format needed for different resumes.
For youth from zero to 19, Mid-Columbia Libraries have bus passes to check out. Orozco said the passes give them access to bus stops close to almost all of the libraries having a bus stop nearby.
For those who can’t get a library card, Mid-Columbia Libraries has temporary passes available to access the computers.
