A YORK library has gone on-line as part of a city-wide initiative to ensure internet access for all.

Acomb Library, in Front Street, is the first of seven libraries and community centres in York to be updated under the Government-funded scheme.

Each of the venues, including Foxwood Community Centre, Kingswater Youth Centre, Chapelfields Community Centre and Carr Infants School Community Room, will have between two and 12 computers installed and a learning facilitator will supervise at each.

Although some of the venues already have internet access, this will be expanded to provide greater access and flexibility.

Local residents, whether they are complete beginners or are interested in a specific qualification, will then be able to use the computers, access the internet and gain a range of Information Technology skills.

The scheme is being managed by York Learning Connections Limited, a non-profit making company working in partnership with York College, Askham Bryan College and City of York Council.

The partnership received £680,000 last year to set up the UK Online Centres throughout the city.

Lynne Wollaston, general manager of York Learning Connections, said the scheme follows the success of Clifton Library, which was given internet access last year through a different scheme.

She said: "The idea of the UK Online Centres is that anybody who wants to know anything about computers can just pop in and ask for help.

"We will be running the usual structured courses as well such as CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) and ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) but we will have free taster sessions in a whole range of skills from the internet to word processing."

Ms Wollaston said the courses will be flexible, allowing people to study when they can and at their own pace and she is hopeful that the centres will be a real success.

Acomb Library went on-line this week to be followed by Burton Stone Lane Community Centre and Tang Hall Library in Fifth Avenue, which is currently undergoing a refurbishment to create the new centre.

Updated: 09:58 Saturday, March 09, 2002