A class offered in the new Telecommunications Information Resource Center (TIRC) works on an assignment

The team in Clarinda, Iowa wanted to increase the community knowledge of computers and internet and the access to them.

The team determined that the Old Carnegie Library needed internet access and the community needed classes to educate them in the use of the internet. The team collaborated with the local School-to-Work program, which introduces high school students to the work force by offering job opportunities during school hours and by creating and running a business within the school. The collaboration created and recruited volunteers for the Telecommunications Information Resource Center in the library. The students taught computer classes during the school year. The classes, which covered the internet, e-mail, MS Word, and Excel, were held during the summer. Two high school student team members were hired to teach the classes over the summer. They also purchased a large Destination TV monitor with DVD/VCR and a remote keyboard and mouse. These were used for presentations, TV production and classes.

Members of the community use the TIRC for a variety of tasks

As an outgrowth of the MIRA project, Library Director Gretchen Sump, who is interested in literacy and early childhood development programs, is looking into developing a "Story Hour" on cable channels using the library's new MIRA equipment and expertise. The "Story Hour" would consist of either recordings of the library's "Story Hour" or new recordings created specifically for television. The project is currently on hold until new funds can be procured to purchase the additional equipment needed by the cable station.

Due to the MIRA project in Clarinda, most of the citizens are now computer and internet literate. Also the traffic the library has increased dramatically and more people are applying for library cards. Not only did the project increase interest in technology, but it seems to have unknowingly increased interest in books as well. Additionally, as another unintended bonus, the use of the library by neighboring communities has also increased, leading to better intercommunity relationships.