FARMINGTON — When more than 7,000 patrons use public access computers every year at the Farmington Public Library, there’s a lot of wear and tear on them.

The library recently replaced computers through a program called PCs for Maine, Librarian Melanie Coombs said. 

The program provides refurbished computers, designed for heavy traffic computer use, for $200, she said.

Coombs initially ordered three for the children’s room at the library. At a price of $600, that was three for about the price of one retail computer, she said.

“They are great computers,” she said. “We’ve had the first set for six months with no problems.”

Six more units have recently been replaced, and these units come with a headset and sound, something the library computers didn’t offer before, she added.

Over 50 libraries across the state have participated in purchasing 150 computers from PCs for Maine, according to the website at www.pcsformaine.org

According to the website, PCs for Maine is a nonprofit whose goal is to increase technology access and literacy throughout the state. It provides low-cost, sometimes refurbished, computers to individuals, families and nonprofits, including libraries and schools.

Individuals using the computers Friday at the library agreed with the computer’s performance.

“The new ones are a lot better,” Jessica Whitney said.

Along with providing computer access, the staff has been providing computer classes, including how to use Facebook, Coombs said.

Many patrons come to the staff with computer questions. Last year they decided to start reaching out and providing more help, she said.

Through Gold Leaf Institute Senior College at the University of Maine at Farmington and partnering with other organizations, they started small classes. These were extremely successful, she said.

Using nine laptop computers originally purchased with Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant funding, library staff video conference to each laptop to teach things such as how to download free e-books or use Facebook, Coombs said.

BTOP is a grant program associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“We started really small, but there’s a real need,” she said. “Sometime this summer an Excel class will be offered.”

Another interesting class is one on how to use ancestry.com effectively, she said. It can only be used in the library because of licensing fees, but patrons can use the laptops.

While preparing for the class, Coombs said she used the program and found her grandmother’s immigration card, filled out in her own handwriting, from when she came to the United States from Canada. 

More information is available from Farmington Public Library staff.

abryant@sunjournal.com