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City of Stirling's purpose designed Internet Training Centre

Any trainee who has ever suffered from tuition by those who 'can do, cannot teach' will appreciate the attitude of Western Australia's City of Stirling. The City has established an Internet Training Centre in the Mirrabooka Library to assist residents and Council staff to make full use of this important area of communication and learning.

Computer and Internet Trainer, Patrick Langford, who has an Education background, was appointed to run the facility. "The City recognised the importance of proper training by employing someone with a background in education not just IT expertise," he said.

The training facility has the advantage of having been purpose built as part of the City of Stirling Complex which houses the library, a Council one stop shop, community offices and meeting rooms.

Being purpose designed meant instead of transforming an existing building to accommodate the Centre in what might be a compromise, everything required was installed from the start. "It was very fortunate that the City had the foresight to plan the Training Centre from the beginning," Patrick Langford said.

The Centre is the first Western Australian member of the Internet Training Institute, an Australia wide body set up to run training programs in public libraries. Under the 'Train the Trainer' program, the Centre also provides training which can be transferred by trainees back to others in their organisations.

Council's Chief Executive Officer, Mike Wadsworth, said that the primary function of the Centre is to be a classroom that enables the public to learn how to access the wealth of information on the internet.

"All libraries have internet access," he said. "This is different because it is not just for people to have access and use, it is designed to teach people how to use the Internet effectively."

Initially, the majority of clientele for the service were library personnel who needed to be fully trained to assist the public in Internet use. It is now used by industry, the general public and to train Council staff, including groups from other local authorities.

Over 500 people have completed introductory and advanced courses ensuring they are making the best use of this new technology. St Louis Public Library in Missouri ,USA, is looking at the Mirrabooka model to implement in their libraries.

This follows a paper outlining the value of public libraries in training the public in internet use written by Kay Poustie, Manager Libraries, Arts and Culture at Stirling. Kay planned the Internet Centre.

For further information contact Patrick Langford, telephone (08) 9440 0762.

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