NILES Senior center to offer computer classes

Center members can use the computers for free.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Senior citizens looking to get on the Information Superhighway have a new on-ramp.
The Niles Senior Center will open its Internet Cafe and start offering beginning computer classes to its members in January, said John Keytack, co-manager of the East State Street facility.
Following the donation of hard drives from the Ohio Attorney General's Office and monitors and cables from Bits, Bytes and Pieces in Youngstown, a longtime dream comes true for employees of the center, he said.
"This is something we have been trying to actively develop for the last several years," Keytack said.
Five of the computers are already hooked up and operational, and classes to teach seniors how to use them will take place one night a week starting next month.
Took a survey
"When we were taking a survey, many of our members said they already had computers that they bought or that were given to them by their children," Keytack said.
"But most of them were using them like a glorified typewriter and some people hadn't even hooked theirs up. They weren't taking full advantage of them.
"Now they will learn the basics of using e-mail and learning to surf the Internet," he said. "This is an ideal opportunity for them."
Keytack will serve as the first instructor for the classes and then graduates of the first course will help train other students.
Once enough students complete the beginner's class, an intermediate course will be offered.
The program is similar to one already set up at the senior center in Howland.
Both sites are operated by SCOPE Inc. of Trumbull County in Warren.
And like area schools and public libraries, rules for the Internet Cafe require members to sign in and bring their own paper if they wish to print anything.
The computers, which will be available during the center's normal business hours, can be used free by members.
To register for the classes, call the Niles Senior Center at (330) 544-3676.