How do I video chat with my family in Boston? Where did that news app go on my tablet? Can I connect my smartphone to my computer? The next time you have a tech question, free help may be just around the corner.  

Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library held its first traveling tech help session March 15 at the Community Center to answer questions like these. Bethany Schmidt, the library’s programs and technology manager, sat with residents for two hours to help them better understand their tech and get the most out of it.  

“I thought it went really well,” she said. “I think everyone who came for tech help had great questions in mind, and they were prepared to learn.” 

About 10 people came to the session with a range of common tech issues. Bonnie Ginger, who also works at the library, had difficulties using her tablet. Ginger said she is reasonably good with it, but there were a few things she couldn't figure out.   

“I'm not as tech savvy as I would like to be. There are certain things that I just go, ‘Oh, how do I do this?’ And I usually sit down and figure it out,” she said. “What gets you to that point when you're done working on it yourself and you say, ‘I need to go somewhere else?’ Well, it's time.” 

In less than 15 minutes, Schmidt helped her create shortcuts for her apps and introduced her to new ways to listen to podcasts. “It was really easy,” Ginger said.  

Schmidt regularly offers tech help at the library. She decided to take the program on the road to reach a new audience who may not be familiar with the library’s offerings.  

“This is a great way to show some of our library services in a place ... people are familiar with and comfortable with going to,” she said. “The community center is such a vibrant community of people, and they have a lot of regulars who I might never see in the library.” 

Although the service is called tech help, Schmidt said it may be more accurate to say tech “tutoring.” She specializes in helping people learn how to use their device or understand something to do with technology. She said she often gets questions she doesn't know the answer to but is happy to search for solutions. “We use the internet to search for our answers, and we walk through things together. So, sometimes, it's learning happening for both of us,” she said.

Schmidt said the service does not provide repairs, and part of her expertise is knowing when to call an expert. Sandy Gates came to the center because she was having trouble video chatting with family members who live out of state. She said meetings every other week help keep them together, but she now has trouble connecting. After some troubleshooting, Schmidt thought it could be a hardware issue and recommended professional repair from a trained technician. Even so, Gates said she was glad she came by. 

Schmidt said everyone who came by seemed to have a positive experience. Even if their issue couldn't be immediately resolved she could give them new information to go home and practice. She said participants said it was also nice to be able to come to a familiar place and some didn't realize tech help is regularly offered by the library.  

“It was kind of an introduction for those folks to learn more about the library, which is great for us,” she said. “And it was great it was a service that people obviously needed in a place that they were comfortable. So, it was great for them too.” 

The next tech help sessions at the center are April 16 and May 16, each from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more tech help, Boothbay Region Adult & Community Education hosts tech nights at Boothbay Region High School. However, organizers say there are no more scheduled for this school year.