New Haven Independent

The Hill’s Courtland S. Wilson Branch of the Free Public Library, which hosted a hard hat tour Thursday and will open this Fall, won’t just have computers: It’ll have 36 of them, plus wireless Internet and 10 laptops available for loan within the library walls. That makes the building not only the Hill’s first free-standing library, but the city’s most tech-savvy public library.

Computers and multi-media materials lure more people through library doors these days, says city library spokeswoman Kathie Hurley. “The Internet — That’s our biggest service.” The Hill Branch, at the corner of Washington Avenue and Daggett Street, will outshine the other library branches’ computer facilities, where patrons must cue up on waiting lists for the chance to send an e-mail.

For people who “haven’t touched a computer before,” the new library will host computer literacy courses. Other classes will help people use the Internet to look for jobs. “The biggest challenge the library helps is to cross that digital divide,” said Hurley.

Nancy Moscoso-Guzman, the library hispanic services coordinator, envisions Spanish-language Internet classes for the area’s roughly 50 percent Spanish-speaking patrons. She plans to offer more English as a Second Language materials —not just books, but DVD’s, books on tape and interactive computer programs.

Downstairs, there’s a large plasma TV and an auditorium holding 150 people. And yes, there are a few old-fashioned books too.

To fund the project, the city spent $6 million and the state chipped in $500,000. Yale’s Michael Morand, president of city library fundraising arm, has been spearheading an additional private fundraising effort. The group needs to raise $50,000 more to reach its goal of $1 million. Half of the private funds will go towards technology and library programming at the new branch; Half will go to the other four library branches. (Donors can call 946-8130 ext. 314).

As part of a publicity campaign gearing up for the library’s opening in September 2006, library staff are holding a contest. People who live or work in the Hill are invited to nominate a “Hill Hero.” Three winning entrants will have their names engraved on bricks in the library’s walkway. For more info call 946-8125.