Libraries Archives - Oasis Institute

Teaching is all in the family for this father-son duo

Oasis Institute Webmaster — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

When Cesar Costa decided to relocate his family from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, he factored in both the costs and the benefits. The cost to Cesar: giving up his career as a senior marketing/sales executive and as a business professor. He decided it was worth taking a chance and eagerly started a home inspection business.

For Costa’s adolescent son, Fabio, the benefits of moving to America were not immediately apparent. “Adapting to life in the States was very challenging—I was in a new school, living in a new culture and English was not my first language,” Fabio says. “Now, I am content and I know the move was worth it.” Fabio is finishing his junior in high school and doing well.

Once Cesar had the family settled and his business was thriving, he decided it was time to do something he had not yet tried: volunteering. He used the internet to locate an interesting opportunity: volunteering as a Connections technology instructor for the Broward County Library. “I have wanted use my teaching skills as a volunteer and this role with the library made that a reality for me.”

Fabio was tuned into the how much his father enjoyed teaching, so he asked Cesar to find out if he could teach Connections classes, too. Cesar was proud of Fabio’s decision and both were excited to learn that Fabio could also teach classes.

Both Costas speak Portuguese, Spanish and English. This allows them to serve participants in the classes better. “We teach from books and programs that are written in English. There are times, though, when it is helpful to explain a concept in the person’s native language,” says Fabio.

Cesar and Fabio agree that by helping people build skills with Microsoft Office courses their own lives are enriched. “We recently had a student come to the library to show us the PowerPoint he had created after taking our class. It was so rewarding to see how proud he was of his abilities and to know that we played a role in his success,” says Cesar.

The father and son duo teach at the South Regional and Main branches of the Broward County Library. In the past two years, Cesar and Fabio have taught more than 40 Connections classes.

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Older adults with technology know-how have the world at their fingertips

Oasis Institute Webmaster — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

You never know what kind of adventure will happen when someone learns how to use a new technology tool.

As a volunteer Oasis Connections instructor, retired electrical engineer Eddie Dextraze comes to his classes at the Hollywood Beach Bernice P. Oster Branch of the Broward County Public Library in Hollywood, FL, prepared for just about any question his older adult students might have about using computers, navigating email, the Internet and countless other topics.

“Most of the people come to these classes wanting to be able to use technology to stay connected with family and friends and to feel safe using the internet,” says Eddie. “A lot of people come with very specific questions or problems to solve, so I start every class asking what those might be. I try to be prepared for just about anything.”

A wow moment

Eddie was not prepared for what happened one day as he showed one of his classes how to use Google Maps, a tool with the functionality to put any location in the world on your computer screen for a virtual visit.

“It’s a fun technology to use,” says Eddie, who will never forget how one student immediately applied the newfound exploratory tool during one of his Connections classes.

“I looked up and noticed this man in the class who seemed overcome with emotion,” he recalls. “Naturally, I went over to see if I could help and then discovered what he was doing. He was a veteran of World War II and had been a prisoner of war in Germany. All that time, he’d never been back to the town and here he was, thanks to learning this new technology, able to stand right in front of the place he’d been imprisoned, right there on the street at the front door. Everyone in the class was moved as he shared the moment with us. It was really something.”

Keeping up with technology and making it fun

Eddie has taught nearly 200 Connections classes so far. He loves all of it, but especially enjoys things that are visual in nature— digital photography, YouTube and Facebook.

Keeping pace with ever-changing technology so that he can keep the content relevant is half the fun.

“I’ve got a Facebook class coming up in a few weeks, and I’ve been watching all the latest developments that are happening in the news,” Eddie says. “I’m preparing myself to be able to answer some questions, because I’m sure people will have them.”

The Broward County Library has offered 4,400 Connections classes, reaching approximately 20,000 people since 2010. For more information about Oasis technology offerings, visit the Connections website.

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Building community via technology drives this Pittsburgh instructor

Oasis Institute Webmaster — Mon, 08 May 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Harvey Schoenman believes in the value of staying in touch with family and friends. He makes this value tangible through a variety of activities including organizing hiking meetup groups and teaching Oasis Connections classes at Community Library of Castle Shannon in metropolitan Pittsburgh.

“I’ve had a good number of students who came to class believing that they probably wouldn’t succeed at using today’s technology,” Harvey says. “I make sure that everyone feels welcome in class by asking their name and what they would like to learn from the class. Then I explain how these courses are designed just for them so they can relax, ask questions as necessary and have fun!”

Harvey’s career in the technology field taught him that no matter how good he was or how much he knew there were people who knew much more.

“Once I accepted that, I was satisfied with the way I can help a lot of people even though I can’t be all things to all people,” he says.

For instance, his knowledge allowed him to create the ‘Ginny blog’ when his wife experienced a health crisis and their family and friends wanted up-to-date information about the situation and how to help.

Also, since April 2012, Harvey has taught more than 80 classes serving over 260 people. He finds that the vast majority of his students are taking a class in order to stay in closer touch with someone.

“I begin every class by asking the students if they have loved ones, particularly children and grandchildren, living in other states. I explain that personal letters and even phone calls are not the channels Millennials or even those in Generation Y prefer to use,” he adds.

When he’s not teaching technology classes he is busy with a variety of in-person activities with family and friends. Harvey enjoys time with his wife, Ginny, his daughter and son and his two grandchildren. He also has a broad social network including hiking friends, colleagues at the Pittsburgh Mobile Technology Club and the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP.) Harvey serves as an officer for his American Legion post.

“I like to be busy and am interested in a variety of pursuits. I do my best when I meter out my time among them. That is the best advice I can share—make sure that you make time for the things in life that are of interest to you.”

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Immigrant experience fuels passion for volunteering

Oasis Institute Webmaster — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Cristina Delgado and Alicia Ferrucci met at the Broward County Library’s English Café in 2001.

Cristina, migrated from Colombia and Alicia, came from Argentina. They had a lot in common. Both relocated to America because of new jobs for their husbands. Both were missing their careers. Alicia was a Certified Public Accountant in Argentina; Cristina was an attorney in Colombia. Both had one son and two daughters. Both were amazed by the hospitality and helpfulness they experienced in Ft. Lauderdale as immigrants.

“People were unbelievably helpful,” says Alicia.

The warm welcome made a real impact on the women and their families, all of whom are now proud U.S. citizens. The two vowed that once their children were a bit older they would find a way to give back to their new home community.

Library offers unique volunteer opportunity

Early in 2013, Cristina found the perfect volunteer opportunity—teaching technology classes for the Broward County Library.

“We attended training in February 2013 for the Oasis Connections program. By August, we were teaching. The students we teach are so enthusiastic about learning. That enthusiasm gives us purpose,” she says.

Together, Alicia and Cristina have taught 70 classes and reached at least 250 students.

“When I see how happy and appreciative our students are because of the impact what they learn in class has on their ability to build skills and find better jobs, it brings me great happiness,” says Alicia.

Building skills for students and instructors

Lately our classes focus on Microsoft Office and job search skills. We rarely see beginners. If you’re working you always need to keep learning more. And every time we teach, Alicia and I learn more ourselves,” adds Cristina.

David Lawrence, Weston branch manager of the Broward County Library says, “Alicia and Cristina have been a great asset to the community. Many people have been able to use what they learned to land jobs, or just feel more comfortable with evolving technology. Alicia and Cristina are very patient and dedicated to their students. They are always happy to help and go above and beyond to help improve the peoples’ lives through their computer training.”

Both women have full and busy lives. Alicia is an accountant and Cristina is an academic advisor. They also enjoy spending time with their families, with each other and at the library.

The Broward County Library offers a variety of Connections classes.

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Finding books, fulfillment and even a job at the library

Oasis Institute Webmaster — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Since its opening in 2007, the Grauwyler Park branch of the Dallas Public Library has been my school, my home-away-from-home, and even my neighborhood bar (metaphorically), where everybody knows my name. Now, it’s also my workplace. Here’s what happened.

In late summer of 2014, I seriously started to think about returning to work full-time. I wasn’t sure what I might want to do, so I hadn’t begun an aggressive search yet. As it happened, I didn’t have to. On one of my routine visits to Grauwyler, customer service representative Yenni Mercado announced to me that the library was hiring. “Naturally, we thought of you!” she said. Over the years, through my regular patronage and volunteer work, the staff and I had become well-acquainted. I’m sure I must have mentioned in passing how much I would love to work at the library. (I was there all the time, anyway.) Now, an actual opportunity was presenting itself, and I was thrilled.

But there were stumbling blocks. While I knew that looking for work is a full-time job itself, I simply wasn’t prepared for the technical difficulties I would face. The online application process was tedious: it seemed that every time I tried to enter pertinent information, I’d encounter an error and couldn’t move on. Furthermore, having had a fortunate career path in which one job led to another, I had never acquired the skills necessary to put together a resumé. I felt like giving up.

Yenni would hear none of it. She insisted I was more than capable of creating a resumé and proceeded to coach me every step of the way. Her technical savvy and the Oasis Connections handbook also got me through the application process I had found so intimidating. To top things off, Yenni even gave me a few interview pointers to help me feel more prepared. Talk about customer service! Is it any wonder I love my library?

After two interviews with the Dallas Public Library and a few weeks’ waiting period, I finally got the much longed-for job offer. I’m happy to report that as of November 2014, I’ve been a library associate at the Bachman Lake branch of the Dallas Public Library. One of my favorite aspects of the job is the variety of tasks involved. Another is the freedom of self-direction in fulfilling my duties. Now it’s my turn to be a source of information and enrichment to the community I serve. Thanks, Yenni!

Editor's note: The Dallas Public Library offers technology classes with the Oasis Connections curriculum. View their calendar to see upcoming classes.

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The value of Spanish language computer training for library patrons

Oasis Institute Webmaster — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000

I am very fortunate that I get to do what I love every day in my job at the Dallas Public Library.

When I became a customer service representative working at the Grauwyler Park branch eight years ago, I didn’t know then how sharing my own story about learning to use the computer would help so many people acquire their own computer skills.

I was born in El Salvador, moved to Dallas as a child and grew up speaking Spanish. As a teenager, I started teaching myself how to use a computer at the Dallas West Branch library. I became interested in technology because the Internet made me see the world outside my neighborhood and imagine new possibilities for myself. I was the first in my family to graduate high school and obtain an associate’s degree.

Once I landed my job at the library and became the only Spanish-speaking staff member, I willingly translated the computer training materials. When the instructor who taught classes to Spanish-speaking patrons left, it was decided that classes for this group would cease. Because of my background, I knew how essential these classes were. I insisted that computer classes for Spanish-speaking patrons could not be discontinued and was told that if the classes were to continue it would be up to me to make it happen.

I made a decision: I would take over the classes and revamp them to reflect techniques I knew worked well with new learners. My colleagues helped me to create the syllabus and I created the content. In the beginning, I was spending a lot of time doing my own research to keep the materials current. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it because the materials were so valuable to the students.

Most patrons who come to the library are hesitant to share that they don’t understand computers but also struggle in classes because they don’t speak English as well as they would like. I am able to tell them I have been in their shoes and respectfully show them I want to help.

When I started teaching the class, we had 12 students and now we have 60. I expect the students to do every task for themselves and I tell them “If I do it for you I am learning. If you do it yourself, you are learning. Are you here to learn?”

My students willingly attend twelve- week sessions and the waiting list for a spot in my classes is two years long. It’s very important for the library to provide ways to learn these vital skills in English and Spanish. I give my students as much of my time as I can and recently I have been able to give them significantly more because our library now uses the Spanish handbooks from the Oasis Connections program.

The Spanish Connections books provide step-by-step instructions that actually match the approach I had developed, freeing up precious time I used to spend updating and creating materials to teach my students! I use the handbooks for my classes and for one-on-one training sessions.

Most students need help to find a new job or upgrade their skills to keep an existing job. Many have not worked in a job requiring use of a computer and have attempted to apply for a job in person, only to be directed to a computer to fill out an online application. I start classes at the beginning, with how to use a mouse and keyboard, and build their skills to the point that they can apply for jobs online and use Word to make a resume.

Since November I have trained three patrons who have gotten jobs! I feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment in the work I do and intend to continue working my way through my waiting list.

Oasis Connections is made possible with support from AT&T.

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Meeting technology demand public library style

Oasis Institute Webmaster — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Public libraries just aren’t what they used to be. In fact, they are more.

People still visit in search of good books and general information, but they also seek assistance getting up to speed and staying current with technology.

Chris Sabin (right) heard about the library’s computer classes two or three years ago.

“A class at the library was a very comfortable way for me to learn how to use the computer I had at home but was afraid to use in case I would mess it up or break it," he says. "I started with the most basic classes and keep coming because I always learn something new.”

Sabin, 72, enjoys classes because of the camaraderie he feels with fellow students and the instructors.

“It’s a really positive environment to be in," he adds. "The instructors teach in a patient, friendly and collaborative way. Then I go home and use my skills to keep in touch with family, friends and the outside world. The classes and the relationships I have formed there have changed my life.”

Hayley St. John-Ayre (left), Community Liaison for Broward County Library says, “Our partnership with Oasis resulted from budget reductions, and the need to engage volunteers to deliver services to our community. Oasis Connections helps us fulfill both of these conditions while still addressing our goal of meeting customer needs. Since the inception of the program there have been 17,000 enrollments for over 2,000 classes. This impressive reach demonstrates the continuing need for digital literacy in our community.”

About 25 volunteer instructors make up the Broward Connections Instructor cadre. Instructors run the gamut of experience, and many make their volunteering a permanent part of their lives.

St. John-Ayre goes on to say, “We have one instructor who had never touched a computer before taking classes at the library and now she teaches classes she was once a student in. We have another instructor who has a Ph.D. and authored technical manuals before retirement. They all do it because they enjoy helping people get comfortable with technology and continue learning.”

Peggy Dodd and Arnold Freedman were among the first group of volunteer instructors and have each taught over 800 students.

Dodd (right) says, “I was always the go-to person for technology problems during my career, so helping out at the library was an easy decision. I keep teaching because of how happy I feel when I see my students realize they are capable of using a computer and to keep myself current by learning from my students and from the handbooks I teach from.”

BCL also offers Digital Downloads, a technology initiative that provides one-on-one help for customers to learn to use their digital devices more effectively. These classes continue to gain popularity as people adopt more portable devices.

And last but certainly not least, the library also keeps the public up to speed with emerging technology through the introduction of maker spaces. Maker spaces are places America’s students and entrepreneurs can go to use tools necessary to innovate and create in our digital society—tools like 3-D printers, video editing equipment and the like. In 2014, BCL was recognized by The White House as one of 125 library systems providing innovative space and tools like the Creation Station, which hosts STEM-oriented activities for students.

BCL volunteer instructors celebrated four years of keeping people in sync with technology.

Oasis Connections is made possible with support from AT&T.

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