Libraries Offer Parents Previews of CD-ROMs : Computer centers help ensure that CyberSantas don’t end up wrapping surprise cyber-headaches.
This holiday season many families will be acquiring a home computer equipped to play multimedia programs on CD-ROMs. In some ways, unless you watch out, CyberSanta’s gift could provoke a a cyber-headache. The big challenge is not how to get the machine to work--that’s what technical-support 800 numbers and your computer-savvy 11 year-old were invented for. The problem is what CD-ROMs to load into the machine.
“With audio discs there’s radio and with video cassettes there’s the movie theater--but with CD-ROMs there’s no preview situation where you can see what’s new and what’s good before you go to buy it,” says multimedia program developer Annie Van Bebber. She’s a spokesperson for the Los Angeles chapter of the 5,000-member International Interactive Communications Society.
She’s also the organizer of the local chapter’s volunteer effort to equip the Glendale Public Library with a new media section that will allow people to preview the latest software--much of which is being produced right there in Glendale.
Last week the local IICS group met for a sort of BYOCD party at Charles Billiard in Glendale--at which they donated brand new CD-ROMs at the door instead of bottles--to jump-start the section’s creation. In the coming weeks, library staff will catalog the scores of new discs that are coming in, and Van Bebber’s group will continue to solicit more--plus some multimedia equipment so patrons can view those programs.
*
Valley parents and kids, in the meantime, have several ways they may not have considered for previewing the “classics” of the CD-ROM world.
Four Valley branches of the Los Angeles Public Library operate Homework Centers stocked with educational and cultural CD-ROMs, and they have the machines to view them. The Burbank Central Library has a similarly equipped Learning Center. The discs have to be viewed on the library premises--they’re not for taking home like a book or video yet--but that policy may be changed as the libraries’ new media programs evolve.
We’re not talking “Mortal Combat” here, but the likes of “Where In the World Is Carmen San Diego”--the kind of computer game many educators have discovered will help kids pass school tests even though the kids themselves think they’re just having fun.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
DETAILS
* FYI: Valley public library branches that are equipped with computers to play CD-ROMs are a good source of counsel for parents wondering what to load into the new home computer CyberSanta may be delivering this year.
Los Angeles Public Library branches in North Hollywood--766-7185, Pacoima--899-5203, Valley Plaza--765-0805 and West Valley--345-4393 all have Homework Centers open Saturdays and after school.
Burbank Central Library’s Learning Center--238-5600--has high-school level titles and is open Saturday, Sunday and after school.
Glendale Central Library--548-2030--has just begun a program to provide parents and children a place to preview appropriate new CD-ROMs as close to release date as possible.
* READ ON: “Parent’s Guide to Children’s Software 96,” published by Newsweek Inc. at $15.95 and “The Computer Museum Guide to the Best Software for Kids,” published by Harper Perennial at $16. The Newsweek guide is also available in a CD-ROM at $28.48.
