Computer center is gateway to online world

Originally published Saturday, April 4, 1998

By JACK HOPKINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

"Come in and surf the net. Test-drive the latest software. Free e-mail," says the sign outside the Community Computer Center in the 600 block of Southwest 152nd Street.

Burien residents, led by Larry Gilbert, pushed for creation of the center last year.

Highline Community College, which teaches classes at the center, provided 16 computers, and Boeing contributed 16 more. Community organizations, the city, local businesses and residents worked together to open the facility.

The center is designed to give people computer skills that will help them get better jobs, Gilbert says.

But it also is a place where students can do research for school papers, job-seekers can create resumes and people can surf the net for the fun of it.

"We are catering to all ages because computer literacy is important to everybody in the community," Gilbert says.

About 200 residents visit the open-use area of the center weekly. Most come in get to meet David Branson, who is volunteer manager of the center and donates about 50 hours a week to the center.