MARYLAND COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM CITY SENIORS MUNICIPAL CENTERLaurel LeaderThe city's new computer learning center, set up mainly for senior citizens, is ready to be used next week by its first group of students.

City officials held a ribbon- cutting Monday at the Municipal Center, where the room is located. The center has 13 work stations, a projector and over-sized screen that will be used as a teaching aid, and leather swivel chairs that will make it easy for seniors and others to turn their attention from their computers to the instructor or screen.

Computer classes for seniors are being coordinated by the Laurel Senior Friendship Club, which for the last three years offered computer courses in a space at Laurel Lakes Apartments, a senior complex.

"It served our purposes, but we were using second-hand computers and we were going to lose the space because they needed it for something else," said Nan Tripp, the club's president.

The apartment complex donated the space to the club for the seniors' classes in return for its residents being allowed access to the computers. Tripp said the only problem was that the club could not secure the room and, on one occasion, its computers were stolen.

The computers were replaced through donations and club-member purchases, but Tripp said in addition to the complex needing the space for other purposes, the club wanted a bigger room so that it could offer larger classes.

Tripp and other club members approached city officials about donating space. Additionally, Prince George's County Council member Tom Dernoga of Laurel identified $30,000 in county recreation funds used to equip the center.

"We realized that by having the center in a city building, we would have access control, we could open it up to all seniors, and the city could use it for their people when we were not using it," said Faith Calhoun, the club's vice president.

In the past, the club only offered classes in January, June and September. Calhoun said it wants to conduct more classes now at the new computer center.

Club officials already have a waiting list for computer sessions that will be held next week Monday to Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. Only 12 slots were available for adults aged 55 and older.

"I'd come up and learn something too, but they told me I'm not old enough," Dernoga said. "The city did a good job on this and I'm pleased. It's in a safe location for seniors and the equipment, and the city gets to use it as well, so it's a win-win all around."

Many seniors have not embraced the ever-evolving computer age, and some admit being intimidated by it all. To make the transition less stressful, the instructors plan to go at a slow pace.

"This will be a basic introductory course geared for seniors who don't have a computer, or have one that's collecting dust somewhere," said Joseph Skladany, one of four instructors. "The first day of class will be spent teaching them how to use a mouse and keyboard familiarity.

"We want to try to get them to not be afraid of computers. Some have told us that they have taken courses before but they were too advanced and fast for them."

Later in the week, the seniors will learn how to use Microsoft Word, a spreadsheet program, the Internet and e-mail.

"We do the Internet and e-mailing last because that's what everybody wants, and we want them to keep coming back," Skladany said. "This center is a great place because in the past, we only had four computers connected to the Internet and they were so slow."

"We want to also show them how to do their budgets, and set up address books that they can use to send out Christmas cards easier," he said.

Currently the next classes are not scheduled until January, but club officials said they hoped to have more scheduled before that time.

Laurel Senior Friendship Club, AARP and Young at Heart members are charged $5 for a week-long session. Non-members are charged $10.