Libraries & Community Centers

Be sure to introduce your child to his or her neighborhood library. Not only does your local branch of the San Diego Public Library have a wealth of information about educational technologies, it also has many of those same technologies. The computerized card catalogs have a wealth of resources especially for kids; just select the Children/K-5 link from the Articles & Databases page to find out about them. Both the Branch Libraries and the Central Library have specially designated Internet terminals just for kids. Most of our library facilities also have a selection of educational CD-ROMs and other software media available for checkout. Finally, your library has word processing computers available for such tasks as writing up homework and composing reports.

You may also wish to see if your local community centers offer computer instruction for kids (or for yourself). The links below should get you started on finding out what is available in your neighborhood.

Computer Museum of America
http://www.computer-museum.org/
A great local resource for San Diegans who want to learn about the history of computer technology.

San Diego Parks and Community Centers
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/sub-category/san-diego-ca-usa/places-to-go/outdoors/parks
While you'll find that most community centers listed here specialize in sports and other outdoor activities, some of them also offer computer instruction and/or instruction in other forms of technology (e.g., music production in the case of Mira Mesa's Epicentre).

San Diego Public Library
http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/
The main Web site for the San Diego Public Library. From here you can gain access to the Articles & Databases page (SDPL's online catalog and database services), find the address and phone number of your local Branch Library, or see what events and activities the Library has planned in the coming months. The Central Library Computer Lab offers basic, intermediate, and advanced instruction in the use of the Internet, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.

San Diego Community Technology Group
http://www.mediamanage.net/sdctg.html
"An informal network of community technology centers, schools, libraries, businesses and government leaders who are committed to closing the digital divide." Click on the link "Find a Community Tech Center in Your Neighborhood" to search for technology resources in your community.

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