Rochester designed the NeighborLink Network not only to foster community
involvement, but also to address the digital divide between citizens who
have computer access and those who do not.
"It's not enough to say it's out there, go get it," said Council.man
Wade Norwood. "It's not merely information for information's sake. It's
information for the sake of being a citizen."
City officials have provided instructional guides with each computer
workstation they've installed in public libraries, and library staff are
available to help residents use the computers. The city also offers computer
training workshops on such topics as Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 95 and the
Internet. The volunteer-led courses are free for children and adults and
are offered throughout the year.
The city will also institute a program next year to teach people the
principles of leadership such as managing proj.ects, working with different
groups, creating marketing and communication strategies, solving problems
and developing mediation skills. Vickie Bell, director of the Bureau of
Neighborhood Initiatives, said the program would also teach people how to
use technology as a civic tool.
The goal is to create a pool of new neighborhood leaders.
