The Colorado River Indian Tribes Library, located in Parker, AZ, currently has five public-access computers that are networked and equipped with a high-speed DSL Internet connection. The library hopes to expand its lab by adding new machines, but its facilities are too small to accommodate any extra computers.

To help solve this lack-of-space problem, Gil Harper -- The Colorado River Indian Tribes Library's Computer Technology Specialist -- devised the idea of a mobile computer lab, which would house nine wireless laptop computers. According to Harper, a mobile computer lab would not only give the library more room for computers, but would also bring technology to community residents who can't travel to the library.

"It makes more sense because [some] people don’t have transportation," Harper said. "They don't have access to a car." Harper notes that this is a particular problem for the community's senior citizens, a demographic that the library hopes to reach with its mobile computer program.

Harper helped write the grant that secured the funds necessary to purchase the laptops, the software, and the vehicle that will house the lab. Once the computers have been configured and the mobile lab has been set up, it will be driven to six different locations around the community so that residents can access technology in a location that's convenient for them.

The Colorado River Indian Tribes Library is planning an open house where it will unveil the mobile computer labs to the community and its partners, which consist of senior centers and schools.

"We're going to put all our laptops out so people can look at those, and have the vehicle open so they can look at the vehicle. It will be a joining of the community and our pa