Why coming to a mayoral Town Hall can matter: Diane’s computer complaint sparks action

Last night, as reported in our as-it-happened coverage of Mayor McGinn‘s West Seattle Town Hall, Admiral resident Diane Vincent told him the city should have planned better to make sure computerless citizens weren’t out in the cold during the Seattle Public Library closure week – she tried to use community-center computer labs, and found some of THEM closed too. The mayor promised action. Here’s the official announcement just sent by Seattle Parks:

During this week when Seattle Public Library branches are closed, these Seattle Parks and Recreation “Rec Tech” computer labs will be open for public use:

· International District/Chinatown Community Center, 719 8th Ave. S, Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and today and Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

· Garfield Community Center, 2323 E Cherry St., hours vary because of daily programming; please call 206-684-4788 for public hours.

· Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E, hours vary because of daily programming; please call 206-684-4753 for public hours.

· Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way, Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. Additional hours may be available for public use based on daily programming; for information, please call 206-386-1245.

· Southwest Teen Life Center, 2801 SW Thistle St., will open today and tomorrow (Thursday) from 5 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. but no technical support will be available.

Regular library operations resume on Tuesday, September 4. …

We’ll add a direct link shortly to Diane’s question (#19) in our video of the entire event. (added) You can hear her question (we didn’t turn the camera, though) and see the mayor’s response, starting here.

Harry Reems August 29, 2012 (5:25 pm)

Ironically, most people who don’t have access to a computer won’t be able to read this story on the WSB……

gina August 29, 2012 (6:31 pm)

Safeway at California and Lander has free wi-fi in the inside seating area 24/7 for those that have devices and laptops and just need wi-f.

Donna August 29, 2012 (8:52 pm)

I know this is focused on WEST SEATTLE, but I’m disappointed there are no locations north of the ship canal. I guess they figure since we don’t have sidewalks, we don’t need anything else.

Tom August 31, 2012 (11:33 am)

Harry, your negativity is unbecoming and your premise is wrong too. Mobile devices have surpassed computers as the most common way people access the internet.

sub 99 August 31, 2012 (12:49 pm)

I bet the people who need access to internet at libraries such as myself are not going to have “mobile Devices” to to use.
In the past I have seen list of computer access locations with hours posted on Library front doors. That was very helpful. Please continue to do that. thank you

sam-c August 31, 2012 (1:37 pm)

i thought his comment brought up an actual point, not just trying to be negative. Not EVERY one has a smart phone…. you can figure out who they are becuase they are the people that actually talk to each other when they are out to lunch/ dinner with them.

randy August 31, 2012 (2:33 pm)

Diane has an excellent point. I may be in the computer business and have numerous computers to use at my own convenience, but i know there are not only adults as well as school age children that do not have a computer at home. There are many reasons why they do not, but the city can do a much better job of providing locations that have a special room with numerous computers made available to everyone and at many more hours than they are now in the libraries and other locations. It may be a holiday, but these resources need to be made available to the public and especially during this time. I would love to help make computers available to the public in a facility at hours when the facilities are closed and should not be. THe city needs to do a much better job, not just now, but in the near future and improved hours of operation and more equipment that can be used for this purpose. If you need help and ideas on how to keep them operating without constant maintenance i can be of great help. The city needs to provide more service not shut them down.

randy

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