The Alhambra Civic Center Library offers free access to computers and the Internet (in the library) to those with a Civic Center Library card, which is free when you sign up for one. The library also hosts a Computer Class for Adults.

  Internet Access in Alhambra

Few people in Haiti have broadband access, but in the minutes and hours after the earthquake that hit the country in January 2010, the use of the Internet became the most important link between those with a computer and the outside world. Internet usage, mostly through Twitter and Facebook, had a huge impact in establishing the initial lines of communication with aid workers.

This natural disaster proves the importance of having access to a computer the world over. While 75% of California residents have a home computer, 45% still lack a broadband connection. Broadband is a high-speed internet connection that is 10-20 times faster than a dial-up connection. There are still more than 17 million residents in California without broadband and more than 13 million without a home Internet connection.

The California Emerging Technology Fund envisions a time when every child and low-income family in California will have a computer and the technology skills necessary to succeed in school and work and to make everyday life situations easier by providing instant access to various communication, information, and service resources. Their website (www.getconnectedtoday.com) provides information on the history of the Internet, getting connected, benefits of using the Internet, Internet safety and more.

Finding Access to Computers and the Internet in Alhambra

Here in Alhambra, the Alhambra Civic Center Library offers free access to computers and the Internet (in the library) to those with a Civic Center Library card, which is free when you sign up for one. The library also hosts a Computer Class for Adults every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. for those with little or no experience with computers. Registration is required and opens on the 15th of each month for classes beginning the following month. Call (626) 570-3212, extension 1, or register at the second-floor reference desk.

Obtaining a Low-Cost Computer 

Low-income families interested in obtaining a low-cost home computer are served by several nearby organizations, which may also be able to provide tech support and computer training. Most will also take donated computers. They are:

• Bridge Over Digital Divide, Inc. (501c3) - 9800 S. Cienega Blvd., Ste. 200-15, Inglewood, CA 90301; 310-305-1100; www.bodd.org
• Komputers 4 R Kids, Inc. - 10805 E. Artesia Blvd., #107, Cerritos, CA 90703; 562-860-7463; www.k4rk.org
• Neighbors Empowering Youth - 2662 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena, CA 91001; 626-791-2095; www.neypcworkshop.org
• CRC Computer Recycling - 3227 Santa Rosa Ave., Unit C, Santa Rosa, CA 95407; www.crc.org.
• Pasadena Computer Works - 626-449-4729; www.4pcworks.com
• The Hands Ministry - P.O. Box 1451, La Canada, CA 91012, 626-407-3566; www.thehandsonline.org.
• TKO Electronics, Inc. - 31113 Via Colinas, Westlake Village, CA 91362;
  877-219-6228, www.tkoeducation.com

HOTSPOTR - Community-Driven Listing of Local WiFi Cafes and Hotspots

For free and not-for-free wireless (WiFi) cafes and hotspots in and around Alhambra, log onto hotspotr.com.