HERMITAGE SCHOOLS Computers are at core of library

The facility will fuse the communication revolution with education, Glenn Jones said.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- There are books on the shelves lining the perimeter walls, but they aren't the heart of this futuristic library.
The William A. Jones and Sara Doolin Jones Library is a cyber facility, making extensive use of the Internet to provide students with the information they seek.
"People will be surprised when they walk in. It's not a traditional library. It's all invisible," said Dr. Louis Mastrian, former superintendent of the Hermitage School District who was involved in the original planning. He was among more than 150 people at Tuesday's dedication ceremony.
The library at Hickory High School is the gift of a Hickory High School alumnus, Glenn R. Jones of Denver, a 1948 graduate who put up $500,000 of the $600,000 cost.
The library is named in honor of his late brother William and William's wife, Sara, a former Hermitage teacher.
The key research source for the facility is the Jones e-global library Inc., a virtual library created specifically for online users.
Benefactor: Glenn Jones, a leader in the cable industry and founder of Jones Knowledge Inc., is a strong advocate of cyber and distance learning.
The world of technology is growing rapidly, and this project hopefully will "fuse the communications revolution with education," Jones told the gathering.
The library is "one of the most technologically advanced in the world," he said, adding, "It's a whole world of cyberspace that will be made available."
"It's truly wonderful," said Sara Doolin Jones, noting that, although she may be retired, she is still involved in education.
Bridge: One striking feature of the library is the Dorothy Rombold CyberBridge, lined with individual computer terminals along both sides and extending the length of the library.
It's a bridge to cyberspace, Jones said, explaining that it is also the fulfillment of a promise made by his Class of 1948 to the school district 53 years ago.
The class had pledged to build a footbridge across a small creek adjacent to the high school (now the Hermitage Middle School) in honor of classmate Dorothy Rombold, who died before graduation.
The bridge never got built and this makes up for it, Jones said.
Superintendent Karen Ionta said the district recognizes the significance of Jones' gift and pledged that it will be used to its utmost.
Classmates: A number of Glenn Jones' 1948 classmates attended the dedication as did some members of the class of 1946, which included his older brother, Neil.
Neil Jones spoke about the World War II wartime accomplishments of their older brother, William, but said William also had a softer, gentler side that manifested itself in his great love for the outdoors and his poetry.
"Our library has been in boxes for two years," said Elma Anschutz, library media specialist at Hickory High School, referring to the $24 million high school renovation project now entering its final stages.
Anschutz, referred to as the "cybrarian," played a major role in the development of the new library, school officials said.
gwin@vindy.com