Great things happen at the Moorhead Public Library. On a daily basis between 700 and 1,000 people use the library’s resources. The library is a community center of information and communication, resources and learning, meetings and classes.

The Moorhead Public Library, part of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library, stays up-to-date.

Thanks to grants from the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation; Cargill Wahpeton; Fertile-Beltrami Area Community Fund; First National Bank, Mahnomen and Twin Valley, and the Otto Bremer Foundation, libraries in the LARL system have new computers.

Right now providing safe, comfortable seating in the lab is a challenge. There is no charge for people to use the computers or for the Wi Fi, although the library does charge for printing. Staff members help people every day in the center.

The librarians tell the stories:

·A woman who just moved here from Texas came in to use the service because her Internet was not yet in service. The librarian and she talked about all of the library services and free Wi Fi. She came back with her laptop the next day. She was welcomed by name and told how glad they were to see her back. They got her laptop up and running in a study room. “She was over the moon with our customer service.”

·Another staff member helped a woman attach her resume to an online job application. She came back to let them know she got the job.

· One evening at computer practice, staff helped a man learn how to forward emails, and use copy and paste. He was beyond ecstatic. He said his son knew a lot about computers but was busy and unable to help him.

· Another helped a woman create an email and Facebook account. She wanted to be “friends” with her granddaughter who had just had a baby. “When we found her granddaughter’s Facebook page, she saw a picture of her grandson for the first time and had tears in her eyes. She thanked me over and over, and asked if I wanted my hug now or later.”

These are a sample of stories from the 150-200 times a day the public computers are used.

All of the care and maintenance of the public computers is handled through the IT department in the LARL Regional Office in Moorhead. Security is maintained through a variety of methods and products, striking a balance between security and usability for customers.

The computer labs are heavily used by community members for a wide variety of activities including research, connecting with family members across distance, accessing government information, printing services and much more, according to Megan Krueger, Moorhead Library Director. “Offering computers with Internet access and the ability to print is one of the most important services public libraries provide today. While the computer labs recently received new, updated computers, heavy traffic has left the chairs in poor condition,” she adds.

“We have selected simple, durable chairs that will able to withstand the heavy traffic seen by the computer labs each day. The current chairs have lasted about six years. The new ones are more durable and will last much longer. Most chairs will be disposed of, though some may be donated,” she said.

“The current chairs in the computer labs are broken, and it won’t be long until they are simply unsafe to sit on. Our community deserves a library facility that is functional and up-to-date as this ensures better library services,” Krueger said.

The Friends of the Moorhead Library hope to raise $7,000 in donations from businesses and community members. These funds will allow the library to purchase new, more durable chairs in order to ensure a great facility for our community.

A gift in any amount will help reach the goal. Donors are able to sponsor a chair for a gift of $150. Donors sponsoring chairs will be recognized through the use of gift plates on each chair purchased.

Tax deductible donations to the Friends of the Moorhead Library can be made online (https://www.givemn.org/project/computer-lab-rehab) or sent to 118 5th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560.