Tony Bair was amazed by the amount of things that had been done in the library to make it a better place. He mentioned that this was the kind of library that should be built in other area’s.
The internet
The internet is used for many things in Newton library. There are many things for people of all ages to do in the library. In 1996 newton library was a very dull and unfurnished library, without many things to make you want to come in to it. Newton library didn’t really have books or computers for children.All their books were for adults and only a few for the elderly. This has now (2004) changed, the Newton library is perfect.
In Newton libraray there are two different types of computers which has access to the internet. The first computer is set on a website where you can enter any title or author of a book and it will find it for you and give you the shelf, row and floor that type of book is on. This method also works with video`s or dvd’s. (anything you can borrow from the library).This makes life much more easier for people who want to borrow books and the people who work in the libraries.
This could help a single parent because if he/she does not have time to come to the library and look for a book for their daughter/son, he/she can get the address of the website in which you can research for books, enter it onto her/his internet system at home and can just go and pick it up on the shelf the next day or order it on the website given and can go and pick up the book the next morning. This same thing can also help children who are at least in secondary school because if they are looking for a book for an assignment they can just use the same method and life would be much easier. In my local community there always seems to be a conflict between different people because of where they come from, ther religion, the way they dress e.t.c. This is brought about because they don`t know much about each other. For example if a black person wanted to know about a white person they could go to the library and use this method to find books about their culture or religion so they understand them more better and the blacks could do the same thing .If a Christian person wanted to know about a muslim person, they would be able to find out this information. This is very helpful to other people in the community because there are less arguments and people understand each other better.
Some elderly people may come to the library if they are still fit enough, but some may not be able to make it and can use the method of entering the title or author of a book on their internet at home. They also have the choice if they want to go and collect the book after ordering or the books can be delivered to their house. They can even re-new their books on the net and the books will even be collected for them. This life much more easier for them because they won’t have to waste time and strain their bones so much. This method is so easy and all you have to do is enter your library card number. You can even sign up for a library card on this same website. Although this a very good idea many problems can occur. The only thing you have to think about when entering your library card on the net is to make sure that it is safe and doesn’t take too long. This is because someone may get the number of your library card, borrow books in your name and you wouldn’t know. If the person looses the books you may be the one to blame. The use of online surveillance software is helping to track down people who use the internet to peddle illegal material. The computer missue act of 1990 was made to protect people from hackers and all sorts.
The second computer is used by anyone. Although you have to pay at least 50p per hour for it, you can browse on the net and do all sorts. On floor 2 you can enter the name of a CD/ song you want to purchase on the website and you can listen to it before taking it home.
CCTV
In my local community crime occurs nearly every day, hour and minute. This is taken care of by the CCTV camera’s. Many boys/girls tend to hang around the library and cause trouble, around the library. Many people (mostly the younger people of the community) think they can also steel books from the library without anyone knowing but this is not possible anymore. Newton library has at least 3-5 CCTV camera’s on each floor. In 1999 it was noticed that someone had stolen many books from the library and boys/girls hang around the library to cause trouble. This doesn’t happen anymore because Newton library has been re built into a very creative library. The look of the library will make the boys/girls who hang around the library come in. There are many floors in Newton library that contain what young people are looking for. 86% of young people enjoy listening to music and there is a floor for music where they can go to. Every year, leaflets are given out to introduce new things in the library so this makes young people aware of what happens in the library. People in my local community have mentioned that the crime has decreased. It is illegal to use a CCTV camera if people don’t know that it is there, so signs are put up outside and inside the library saying that there are CCTV camera’s where they are. This makes life much more easier, even for policemen who come to find out who has been stealing what or causing trouble.
Scanner/printer
A scanner is a device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translate the information into a form the computer can use. A scanner works by "digitising" an image and placing it on the computer as a file. A scanner is used by many people. In Newton library the scanner is very straight forward and handy. You can scan a picture or essay and send it to your computer at home and print it out. If the elderly want to get a document they can have it scanned and sent to their computer. This makes life much more easier.
Mary Ewumi
Centre Number: 10838
Candidate Number: 1043
