Aotearoa People's Network

Ngaruawahia Library, temporarily closed

What happens when a community is suddenly without its library, and what can be done to maintain basic services?

Those of you who read our monthly newsletter may already be aware that our Asset Refresh Project is about to kick off. But what is an "Asset Refresh" and why are we doing it?

Well, one of the ideas behind the ongoing partnership we have with public libraries is that it's not just about installing equipment and an Internet connection, it's about providing a good service to the end user with functional, up-to-date equipment.

Periodically we have anxious library staff call our helpdesk concerned that the APNK computer they're looking at may have been "infected" with a computer virus.

Because of the systems and security that we have in place it's fairly unlikely that this could happen to one of the machines on our network, even though from a customer's or library staff member's point of view it may look very much like this is what's happening. What often turns out to be the culprit is a malicious website which is designed to look exactly like a Windows systems folder.

What does it mean to be a staff member working in a library that offers free APNK Internet? How does this change the nature of your customer interactions, or indeed who your customers are? How can we let staff at APNK libraries from all over the country talk to each other about these things?

One of the things we often wonder, from APNK HQ in Christchurch, is what kinds of things people are using our free computing service for? What information are they discovering? What content are they creating?

Sometimes we don't have to wonder because a customer is so happy with what they've been able to do using APNK that they get in touch and tell us about it. One such customer is budding writer, Andy Hatton.

We're sad to say that Mark Lawrence, APNK's erstwhile Technical Architect, will be leaving the team at the end of this week.

FreeMind logo

We're taking the opportunity to highlight another piece of software that's installed on all APNK computers. This week, mind-mapping software, FreeMind.

Today we have a chat with APNK Programme Administrator Anne Mortimer about her role within the team, fleece and invoices.

What's your background? Where were you working before you joined APNK?

Digital audio recorder for loan

Here at APNK we're all about getting people online but also getting the stories and voices of New Zealanders online too.

An important part of the APNK service is our helpdesk. Any day of the week* library staff can call our 0800 number and speak to a Technical Support Analyst who will talk them through any APNK-related technical issues they might be having.