Originally published in the Chillicothe Gazette on Sept. 28, 2025

When I was young, so was technology. The 8-bit animation of Atari on a tubed television and Oregon Trail in the computer lab at school were the height of modernization. I witnessed the rise of the cell phone. A guy I dated in college worked for a major carrier, and after a huge meeting, he told me how phones were getting color screens and cameras. “Cameras in cellphones?!?” I exclaimed. “No one is going to want that!” Turns out, everyone wanted that.

Now, here we are walking around like James Bond in a Star Trek crossover. Tiny computers in our pockets are ready to respond to our every whim. A world of information is at our fingertips if we learn how to navigate it. This becomes trickier with every new device, every cutting-edge app, and every upgraded experience. It’s overwhelming, but necessary. Progress is forward-moving, whether we like it or not.

Thankfully, there are those who understand new waves of technology and are patient enough to teach the rest of us. At the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library, we now have a full-time Digital Navigator. With twenty years of experience in the tech and cellular industry, Bryan Peters has a wealth of knowledge that he’s eager to share.

Maybe you need a new phone, but have no idea what to get. Maybe you want to learn to create documents in Word, check email with Outlook, get organized with OneNote, or create a budget with Excel? Maybe you got a new device as a gift that you have no idea how to use. He can help.

Bryan is available for one-on-one appointments, free of charge. Or, maybe you just have a question. Then our Digital Navigator Open Hours are perfect for you. Hosted at most library locations, patrons can stop by, ask questions, and get help quickly. Schedule your one-on-one appointment or check the dates and times of our Digital Navigator Open Hours, call us at 740-702-4145, or visit www.crcpl.org/technology.

For those interested in expanding their knowledge even more, we invite you to attend one of these Technology Programs. No registration needed. No laptop needed.

Thursday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. at the Main Library and Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. at Northside: From Store to Door: Using Apps for Shopping & Transit – Learn how to order groceries online, check local bus routes, and make everyday errands easier with apps.

Thursday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. at the Main Library and Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. at Northside: Fam or Scam? How to Stay Safe Online – Learn to protect yourself from online scams, phishing, and digital dangers.

With our Digital Navigator offering so many ways to connect, there is no reason to be afraid of whatever technological innovation comes next. Mind-reading chef robots prepared to plan and cook your dinner? Bring it on…I guess.

Sheena Brown is technologically hesitant but willing to learn and an Enrichment, Communications and Marketing Clerk at the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library