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By Andrea J. Cook Journal Staff Writer The Rapid City Public Library rolls out three new services this week, in conjunction with the library's celebration of National Library Week, April 18-24. The new library services were developed to improve community awareness of the library's capabilities. "These are all services that enhance what we're doing at the library," library director Greta Chapman said. "Library to Go" is a new computer cart equipped with 16 wireless laptop computers. The system expands the library's computer training capabilities. Reference librarians will use the portable system to teach organizations and businesses how to access the library's extensive reference resources and use the Internet to search for information, according to reference librarian Jeanie McCallister. "Ask A Librarian" puts online library users in contact with a reference librarian through an online chat room offered during library hours. The librarian can help search databases, locate books and help library users use the Internet. "May We Suggest" is another new location on the library's Web site and in the library. "May we Suggest" recommends titles and movies for readers or people looking for a movie. The library staff will share their choices and help library users find something of interest. Youth Services Over the past month, the library's Youth Services department added the finishing touches to its Homework Help center on the second floor. Surrounded by volumes of reference books sit two computers. The computers and the reference books complement each other by providing a wide range of research tools for students of all ages, according to Youth Services librarian Lorie Barnes. With a few keystrokes, students can use an encyclopedia or search periodical reference for information. Or, if needed, volumes of common reference books are a step away. Sixth-grader Britni Tenold, 12, is a frequent visitor to the homework center. A stack of books sat beside the keyboard. She was doing a search for her little brother for information on Toulouse Lautrec. "It has more stuff you can look things up with than a regular computer," she said, nodding to the computer. "And, it's quiet. You can get a lot done," she added. Unlike the library's other computers, these computers are not programmed to shut down after 60 minutes. With unlimited access, students don't have to worry about losing unsaved information when they work on a project. Homework and research can be saved on discs sold at the library or printed. Shortcuts to common reference sources appear on the computers' desktops. These shortcuts can vary as teachers' assignments change during the year. "We want teachers to know we're here to help them," Barnes said. "We are trying to work with the school system." Barnes said the library wants teachers to understand that computers and the Internet are reliable tools if students use them correctly. The key is learning to evaluate reference and developing effective research skills, Rogers said. The center's computers have encyclopedias, educational programs and practice tests for college entrance tests. Computer software includes Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Access and a keyboarding tutorial. The Youth Services staff is available to help students and parents use the homework help center. The staff invites teachers to contact them when they assign specific research projects, Chapman said. Summer Reading Chapman said the library is looking forward to working with the schools to support the No Child Left Behind Summer Reading Achievers program. Gov. Mike Rounds visited North Middle School last week to announce that South Dakota is the only state selected by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in a pilot of the summer reading program. "It's no challenge to us incorporating the governor's program into our summer reading program," Chapman said. For more information on Rapid City Public Library, see the library's Web site at http://rcplib.sdln.net/ or call the library at 394-4171.