Dozens of area residents have learned that they’re never too old to click and scroll, thanks to a grant awarded to the Albert Lea Public Library.

“The citizens in our community, especially our senior population, want to learn how to successfully navigate the Internet, send e-mail, use basic word processing and develop job-searching skills,” said Peggy Havener, library director.

To date, 60 seniors have taken the “You’re Never Too Old To Click and Scroll @ Albert Lea Public Library,” the director said. The oldest student in the class was 86, she added.

“The classes are free and we encourage our seniors to take them as often as0 they like,” she said. “We have had some come back three times and each time they become more confident and comfortable with computers and technology. Some have even talked about getting iPods!”

The Albert Lea Public Library was awarded a Library Services and Technology Act federal Library Services and Technology Act federal grant for $36,808 to develop a closed classroom setting where citizens of Freeborn County can acquire basic computer skills in a comfortable and non-threatening environment. The computer lab was built during the library’s renovation. It is located on the second floor, in what used to be a storage room off the children’s library.

The motivation for the grant application was the growing senior population. Thirty-four percent of Freeborn County’s population is over age 55. In the 2005 strategic planning survey, computer classes were the most-requested service by patrons 55 years and older.

“They want to be able to learn the technology. They want to be able to e-mail their grandchildren,” Havener said.

The library has developed classes that teach effective searching skills and are geared to hobbies: genealogy, travel, health and investment programs for seniors and others.

Havener said the classes stress Internet safety. “Our seniors are very concerned about identity theft. I tell them what information never to give out and if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” she said, adding she safely pays most of her bills on online, and hasn’t had to buy stamps for anything but Christmas and birthday cards for three years.

Jobs are another priority. The lab is available for classes in job searching and resume writing to help individuals find gainful employment. Havener said in Albert Lea, applicants for jobs at Wal-Mart and ShopKo can only apply online.

“The lab enables the staff to help customers complete these applications without getting stressed out,” she said.

The classes meet once a week for three weeks.

“Our goal is to show them how to use the computer with the least amount of frustration,” Havener said.

In a class that started in mid-January, Havener took the four students through the basic parts of the computer, including the mouse.

“If you can master the mouse, the rest is very simple,” she said. For this reason, the classes play a lot of solitaire on the computer.

She introduced them to Internet browsers, search engines, Web addresses and directories.

Carleton Heath of Albert Lea said he took the course because he’s learning sign language and his friends all use computers. “This will help a lot,” he said.

Barb Guiney, also of Albert Lea, said she already had a computer, but wanted to learn more about the Internet.

RuthAnn Langlie of Hartland said she just wanted to refresh some of her skills.

Sharon Lynch of Albert Lea was taking the class so she could enjoy her computer more.

“My children are all in different parts of the country,” she said, adding her son, who lives in Alaska, sends her photos via e-mail that she sometimes can and sometimes cannot view.

“I think this will help with that,” Lynch said.

The class shows participants how to log onto the library’s computers and do things like renew or reserve books.

The classes are creating a whole new set of users for the public library’s computers, and that’s a very good thing. The library’s computers average 3,100 logins per month, the director said.

The classes Havener teaches vary from session to session because of the needs of the students. She tries to accommodate them by teaching them what they want to learn.

“This has been a fun class to teach,” she said.

About the only they won’t do, she said, is recommend a computer for purchase. She tells them before shopping to know what they want to accomplish with the computer.

“Then I tell them to take someone — preferably a grandchild — with them,” she said.

What’s more, the lab is filling a need in the community. It’s one of the few places available for training purposes, “With Community Ed closing its lab, it’s needed,” Havener said. Community Education closed its lab to the public last spring but still uses it for classes.