Public Computing Centers to Launch at Anythink Brighton, Commerce City

Anythink Highlights All Its Technology Offerings March 5-9

THORNTON, Colo.­ –February 27, 2012–On Monday, March 5, Anythink will launch Public Computing Centers at its Brighton and Commerce City libraries. Made possible through support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Colorado Libraries, these two Anythink locations will provide public computing access to a wider range of people via laptops for two-hour in-library use.

With the $75,000-plus grant ($49,312 for Brighton, $26,551 for Commerce City), Anythink will be able to meet the program’s goal of providing these communities with better access to computer training, career support, educational resources and healthcare services. Anythink Brighton will have 24 laptops available and two ADA-compliant stations for persons with disabilities. Anythink Commerce City will have 12 laptops and one ADA-compliant station. The computer centers are just two of 76 throughout the state of Colorado .

“We are so happy to be able to offer laptops to our customers,” says Finance Director Mindy Kittay. “We hope that customers will take advantage of the portability of the laptops and find comfortable areas around our libraries to use them. We are also looking forward to continuing to help our community learn and use new technologies and tools.”

To celebrate the launch of the program while educating customers about Anythink’s technology offerings, the following open houses will be held at Anythink Brighton and Anythink Commerce City:

Anythink Commerce City
7185 Monaco Street
Commerce City, CO 80022
Monday, March 5, 2012
10 am–12 pm

Anythink Brighton
327 E. Bridge St.
Brighton, CO 80601
Thursday, March 8, 2012
5-7 pm

During the week of March 5, customers are encouraged to attend technology classes at various locations, learn about the district’s downloadable offerings or come in and use the free wi-fi available at all Anythink locations. For more information about upcoming tech classes, visit our online calendar at anythinklibraries.org.

About the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In the United States , it seeks to ensure that all people – especially those with the fewest resources – have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. For more information, please visit gatesfoundation.org.

About the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act appropriated $7.2 billion for the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to expand broadband access and adoption in communities across the U.S. , which will increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits.

About AnythinkTM

Anythink is a new style of library – a place of unlimited imagination, where play inspires creativity and lifelong learning. Rangeview Library District serves the residents of Adams County with seven Anythink libraries and Anythink in Motion – the district’s mobile library – and is one of the recipients of the 2010 National Medal of Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, go to anythinklibraries.org.