Classes On Internet Popular At Library

Paul Sterling was just revving up his engines for his first trip on the Information Superhighway when he hit his first detour.

After taking one of the popular Internet orientation classes at the Hillyard branch library, Sterling started browsing for information on fast pitch women’s softball, his daughter Chrissy’s favorite sport.

After finding an interesting site about a Seattle fast-pitch team, he bounced to the Secret Ivy home page. It had nothing to do with pitches, bats or even sports.

“It’s probably going to take forever to find the info we are looking for,” grumbled Sterling, a Hillyard resident.

Two dozen North Side residents were initiated into the anarchy and splendor of the Internet Tuesday night by Hillyard branch librarian Miriam Wilde.

The Internet class was the third at the branch. The branch offered one earlier this fall and it filled and a waiting list immediately formed. A second class was added in November, and it also filled quickly.

Similar classes are offered at the downtown library. Wilde is not sure when a fourth may be added.

“It’s been busier than expected,” said Wilde, who browses the World Wide Web, a popular off-shoot of the Internet, at home.

The class offered takers a quick look at the smorgasbord on-line, but, in 45 minutes, could not delve into the meat and potatoes. One of the branch’s two Internet-linked computers - 486 Pentiums with superspeed modems - was left open after class for the curious.

Wilde walked the class through terms, library rules and gave a few tips on using Internet software. As is common on-line, several of Wilde’s attempts to turn World Wide Web pages were rejected.

Only three in Tuesday night’s class had ever been on-line before, and two were students. Six raised their hands when asked if they had used Windows, the most popular software format for personal computers in the world.

Nick and Pat Shively said they came to learn more about the educational opportunities on-line. They have a home computer, and are considering subscribing to an on-line service.

They said their 5- and 7-year-old children would have loved to explore a home page on frogs that Wilde showed during her presentation.

Nick Shively said he was also looking for history facts on the Internet. “I’m a World War II history buff,” he said.

After a half-hour of browsing for softball information, Sterling walked away with addresses of three magazines for Chrissy.

“‘It looks like a lot of fun - and a lot of time,” Sterling said.

Staff writer Jonathan Martin’s e-mail address is jonathanm@spokesman.com.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Internet info For information on Internet classes, call the Spokane Public Library downtown branch at 626-5300 or the Hillyard branch at 626-5380. The library’s World Wide Web home page can be found at http:/ /splnet.spokpl.lib.wa.us.