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Got Questions? Get Answers, 24/7!
<br />Starting October 1,2004, L-net, a free online information service provided through Oregon libraries, is
<br />available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone in Oregon can go to www.oreqonlibraries.net to
<br />connect with an expert reference librarian and have a question answered at any time. All that's needed is
<br />a computer and Internet access.
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<br />L-net was launched in 2003 as a part-time pilot project by a small network of libraries, including Eugene
<br />Public Library, which will continue to participate. The network has answered an average of 400 questions
<br />each month, with Lane County asking the most in Oregon. Now, 18 university, public, and school
<br />libraries around the state, plus contracted staff at Librarians by Request, a service of Tutor. corn, will
<br />make it possible to have questions answered around the clock.
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<br />Everyone who has used a Web search engine knows the frustration of searching for information and
<br />getting thousands of Web site hits in return. L-net's motto could be "Stop Searching, Start Finding!"
<br />Whether it's 3 p.m. at the office or 3 a.m. in a dorm room, whether the need is for reading
<br />recommendations or a chemical analysis of Crater Lake, L-net librarians deliver both factual answers and
<br />information about how to use resources such as the Internet, library catalogs, and online databases.
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<br />L-net is supported by funds granted by the Oregon State Library under the Library Services and
<br />Technology Act and by the collaboration of Oregon's libraries. For more information, contact Eugene
<br />Public Library Director Connie Bennett at 682-5450.
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<br />Specialized Recreation at Spencer Butte Challenqe Course
<br />The River House Outdoor Program's Spencer Butte Challenge Course has partnered with Mobility
<br />International USA for years to offer challenge course opportunities for people with disabilities from all
<br />over the world. On Sunday, September 26, Hilyard Community Center's Specialized Recreation
<br /> Program partnered with the River House Outdoor Program to offer a full day,
<br /> Iow and high challenge course for people from our own community with a
<br /> variety of disabilities including autism, Down syndrome, visual impairments,
<br /> traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, mental illness and substance addiction
<br /> and abuse. Sixteen participants, including some family members, ages 9-50+,
<br /> worked together as a team to successfully move through a series of challenges
<br /> that required communication, problem-solving, trust, and leadership skills.
<br /> With the support of the team, participants were able to learn about the
<br /> contribution of their individual strengths to the group's success as a whole.
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<br />The idea for this partnership came from a Specialized Recreation participant,
<br />and with the diligence of Patty Prather, Specialized Recreation Program
<br />Supervisor, it represents the most diverse group of participants within the
<br />program to come together for any single activity. The combined experience of
<br />staff from both programs contributed to the success of the day. The experience also provided an avenue
<br />for staff to hone their skills in working with people with disabilities as well as with the necessary adaptive
<br />equipment.
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<br />Falcon's Flight, built in the summer of 2004, is the newest universal high element at the Spencer Butte
<br />Challenge Course. Fully accessible for people with and without disabilities, Falcon's Flight uses team
<br />support to empower individuals to challenge themselves in a physical and emotionally-safe environment.
<br />Each "Falcon," who is harnessed and attached to a cable, can choose to "fly" up to 45 ft in the air, and
<br />swoop across 90 feet through the Douglas Fir forest at the base of Spencer Butte in South Eugene.
<br />Falcon's Flight has already seen over 100 participants this summer, including over 30 with disabilities.
<br />One participant, who is in addiction recovery, summed up the day by stating, "That's the best high I've
<br />had since becoming clean and sober." For more information, please contact Challenge Course
<br />Programmer Kellie Nemke, at 682-6324.
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<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
<br />October 7, 2004
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