Many of us pay $78 a month for high-speed Internet access in our homes. But others can barely spring for the cheaper, slower plans that can render important online tasks like job searches and bill paying nearly impossible. Fortunately, Henderson’s four libraries have a couple of solutions. You can use their computers, or, in the coming months, rent a circulating wifi hotspot for use wherever you want.
The mobile hotspots are one of two major amenity upgrades Henderson Libraries are debuting early this year to further serve their communities and evolve with the times. In case you hadn’t walked into one since ninth grade, public libraries shook off their traditional role as a book depository and research center years ago. They aim to be more community center than homework spot—one that might help bridge the gap between school and real life, or provide services beyond one’s technological or financial means.
Speaking of job searches, the other service Henderson Libraries has introduced for 2018 is its One Stop Career Center, a professional development facility run in partnership with Workforce Connections employment center. Gibson Library opened one in the fall; another debuts soon at Green Valley Library. It’ll not only help those seeking new or better employment, but those wanting to attain new skills. “It’s very exciting to be able to support workforce development in this way,” says Executive Director Marcie Smedley.
Las Vegas-Clark County Library District couldn’t meet the Weekly’s deadline with its own plans for 2018, but it did reveal one major development, set to open on January 8 at Clark County Library: the Valley’s first Teen Tech Center—another partnership, this time with Best Buy—which will feature up-to-date technology geared to maximize youth career prospects, and host printed and digital content for young adults. So now Junior can check out a graphic novel—and then create and publish his own.
