Gadget Fair well attended, repeats this Friday

Local patrons got the chance to handle several different brands of tablets and reading devices last Friday at the Cathlamet Library when representatives from the Washington State Library in Tumwater stopped by with the tech goodies to provide training to library staff and volunteers in the morning and to the general public in the afternoon.

"I think it's wonderful that the state bothered to come by a small community like this," local resident Craig Brown said.

From 2-4 p.m., Washington State Library representatives Evelyn Lindberg and Jay Olayvar answered questions and worked one on one with several people who stopped by to learn about the devices and how to use them. Many local patrons wanted to know how to use the devices in order to check out e-books, which are now available at the Cathlamet Library.

"We don't always have to come to the library to get books," local resident Deborah Lincoln said, "or buy them. You can get them online through the library."

Many of the library patrons liked the new option.

Joanne Dutcher, a volunteer at the library owns a Kindle and had begun to read a book that she had downloaded from the library website, but found that she still had a lot of questions. Lindberg worked with Dutcher patiently despite the constant chatter around them.

"I'm afraid of the computer," Dutcher said. "I'm afraid I'm going to break it. I feel a lot better about using my Kindle after talking with Evelyn."

Joyce Orr, another local resident, was there to find a tablet. She was able to try the iPad, a Samsung product as well as a Windows based tablet. Olayvar answered many of her questions and gave her more to think about.

"How often do you get stuff to play with?" Olayvar asked. "The idea is to get the devices out to libraries so librarians and volunteers get an opportunity to practice on them and get to know them. Our ultimate goal is to train them so they are able to help patrons."

This Friday from 2-4 p.m., the devices will be available a final time for examination and play, and Olayvar and Lindberg will be on hand to answer questions.