Your library's old computers may not be able to run the latest version of Windows, but they're not junk. In fact, Kinney County Public Library in Brackettville, Texas, with the help of IT consultant Rodney Greensage was able to add eight computers to its lab using systems that would have been destined for the junkyard.

By implementing what's called a thin client (a network computer without a hard drive that runs its programs from a server), the libraries were able to squeeze life out of old computers and save money at the same time.

While many underfunded libraries lack employees who are proficient with computers, others might be lucky enough to have a staff member with a higher level of technology expertise. If your library employs a person with a wealth of technology knowledge, encourage them to help other libraries by sharing their tips and thoughts in a blog.

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.

On any given day, dozens of different users with varying levels of technology skills might work on a library's public-access computers. And while more experienced users might remember to leave the computers just as they found them, novices may forget to delete documents they've been working on, neglect to remove software they've installed, or inadvertently contract a nasty computer virus -- leaving your library's small staff to clean up the mess.

The Modoc County Library operates five branches in the Northern California county and only has funds to pay six full-time staffers. Modoc doesn't receive any money from the county and could not afford the software it needed.

"Even grants aren’t free because you have to have the time to apply for them," said Modoc County Library staff member Cheryl Baker.

In Pryor, OK, high-school students can take classes that will help prepare them for careers in technology -- at the same time, they also get real-world experience by helping to maintain their local library's 12 public-access computers. David Shreffler, who teaches the high-school computer classes and acts as Pryor Public Library's technology consultant, explained that when the current librarian wanted to spend money to hire a full-time IT staff member, he stepped in and offered his students' services instead.

Your library is likely too short on funds to hire a technology manager or consultant, but that doesn't mean you can't get the help you need. As the Yale Public Library in Yale, OK discovered, tapping into the community to find volunteers with technology expertise was a great way to help the library accomplish projects without spending big bucks.

When the Yale Public Library wanted to wire its building for Internet access in 1999, it turned to a former board member who had experience setting up computer labs.