Sam Houston State University’s Newton Gresham Library is taking bold strides in technology by implementing a number of workshops, including a new wireless modem program.During October and November, the university will be hosting eight different workshops. “The purpose of the workshops is to provide a time when students can learn how to use electronic databases and other services that the library offers,” said Ann Holden, interim director of the library.”The Laptop Clinic” will teach students to configure a laptop to access electronic reserves, the library catalog, research databases, e-mail and other resources through the campus network. Holder said she believed that this workshop would be of the most interest to the students.The NGL received a grant from the state Telecommunications Infrastructure Board. A large portion of the grant was used to purchase laptops and other equipment to make the library wireless capable.Students can now use personal laptops to access library services from anywhere in the library as long as the laptops have wireless capabilities. If a student’s laptop does not have wireless capabilities, then students can go through a one-time installation process. After that, they can simply borrow a wireless modem from the reserve desk.For students that do not have laptops, they can borrow one from the reserve desk. “To borrow a laptop, you must have your ID and sign a policy stating that if something happens to the laptop, you are responsible for it,” said Holden.”I’m looking forward to the convenience of accessing the Internet without having to go into the lab,” said junior Liz Turney. There are some safety precautions that the library has taken so only authorized users can access the databases. For more information on the security, contact the library reserve desk.The second workshop is “Basic Research Skills”. This workshop provides a hands-on opportunity to find out how to use the one stop desktop access to the library catalog, databases, electronic journals, web research tools, library guides and more. For more information, contact Ann Jerabek at [email protected] or call 294-3528.”SamCat” will educate students on how to check your user information and how to set up an alert on new resources from the NGL. For more information, contact Scott Harnsberger at [email protected] or call 294-3574.”Research Databases in Business” will provide a hands-on introduction to electronic indexes and full-text sources for business research. For more information, contact Linda Meyers at [email protected] or call 294-3551.”Research Databases in the Humanities” will do the same as “Research Databases in Business”, but will cater to research in the humanities, including English and fine arts. For more information, contact Jess Nevins at [email protected] or call 294-3587.”Research Databases in the Sciences” will teach students how to access electronic databases for science related research. For more information, contact Lynn McMain at [email protected] or call 294-3734.”Research Databases in the Social Sciences” will educate students how to use electronic indexes and sources for research in the social sciences. For more information, contact Susan Strickland at [email protected] or call 294-3128.The last session is “Library Tour”. Students can receive a tour of the library and learn how it works. For more information on “Library Tour”, contact Cheryl Patton at [email protected] or call 294-3527.All sessions have limited space available, so it is best to R.S.V.P., although walk-ins are allowed if space is available.