Although they are of a generational group that has seen

more technological advancements in a lifetime than ever before,

today's senior citizens often feel left behind, says Peachtree City's

Jim Graser.

Graser and a handful of folks with similar concerns have set

out to overcome at least one obstacle in the lives of seniors the

inability to use computers. It's Graser's dream that one day

soon, the "educational laboratory room" downstairs at the Peachtree

City Library will be filled with senior citizens surfing the Net on

up-to-date computers.

"You can't put senior citizens in a regular computer class

and expect them to keep up," Graser says. "Sometimes, you just

have to start with the absolute basics, like turning the computer

on, learning the 'buzzwords,' overcoming the fear of computers."

So Graser's idea is to use the library's empty computer lab

to start senior classes, with help from the community. The project

is under the auspices of The Library Corporation, a nonprofit

group formed to allow the community to contribute to worthwhile

programs of the library. Graser will be the first instructor, but

he's looking for others willing to donate their time.

He already has done extensive research on computer courses

for seniors, searching the Internet and getting materials from

surrounding counties. Graser says Cobb County's numerous senior

centers all have computer classes, with waiting lists to get in.

Bob Lunaburg of Cobb County wrote a set of basic computer

course material and has donated it for use by Peachtree City, Graser notes.

The library room, explains technology manager Jill Kuhns,

was originally designed to be used for computer classes. All the

connections are there, from plenty of power outlets to phone lines

(with the appropriate holes in the tables), but the library has lacked

both personnel and financing to purchase computers, according

to Richard Mathews, technology coordinator.

"Most seniors were probably near the end of their working

careers before computers became popular," Graser explains.

"Now they're learning a little bit from their grandchildren, maybe,

but there is such a desire and willingness to learn how and to use

computers. We expect classes to fill up immediately."

But before the classes can start, the group has to find computers

or donated funds to buy them. The Library Corporation needs

about $20,000 to purchase computers, or machines which can run

Windows 95 (with a Pentium 75 minimum) can be donated. The

group would favor 17-inch monitors, but 15-inch monitors would be

acceptable. Donors would be honored with plaques in the

library recognizing gold, silver and bronze amounts, but "small

contributors" are more than welcome, Graser says.

The library will construct a giant jigsaw puzzle, and those

who give $10 or more can have their names written on the

puzzle pieces. Once complete, the puzzle will be framed and hung in

the computer lab, Kuhns says.

Graser, a retired oil company executive, says his computer

experience is entirely "self-taught," and he is looking forward to

being able to help his peers into today's technological world.

"This is just so exciting," Kuhns comments. "The senior classes

are only the beginning of what we plan to offer at the library.

This year we will have 14 work stations open to the public with

high-speed Internet connection, and other computer classes for

more advanced learning. That way the senior citizens can move up!"

For more information about the classes, donations or

volunteering, call Jill Kuhns at the library, 770-631-2520, or Jim Graser,

770-486-9656.

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