Online repair manuals

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, December 2007; written by Lisa Pearson.

This time of the year is all about treats and presents, and the Public Library has a little treat for the people of Ketchikan: free access to a new small engine repair database. This is a must-have resource for anyone living in Alaska. Many of you may already be familiar with the Auto Repair Reference Center, a link to which can be found on our website (www.firstcitylibraries.org). This online database, which is paid for by the Alaska State Library, provides step-by-step repair instructions, photographs, wiring diagrams, technical service bulletins and specifications for over 31,000 vehicles. This automotive database has proved so helpful and popular with our patrons that the Ketchikan library has decided to subscribe to a similar service for small engines. The Small Engine Repair Service Center provides information about marine diesels, outboard motors, ATVs, snowmobiles, chainsaws, jet skis, motorcycles, generators and lawnmowers. Basically, if you have a machine that makes a lot of noise, we have online help for you. The database consists of actual scanned images of repair manuals, so the information is very thorough. The only things that are missing are the greasy fingerprints.

If you’re wondering what use are online manuals, just ask yourself these questions: How many times have you come into the library to check out a repair manual only to find out that it is checked out to someone else? Or what about the times you go out on Friday evening to get the skiff ready for some crack of dawn Saturday fishing, only to find out that the outboard won’t work? You don’t have to wait for the library to open anymore; you can get the information you need from your computer. Just go to the library website and look for the little black and silver icon – your key to hours of knuckle-skinning, wrench-throwing fun.

Another little gift we are giving the folks of Ketchikan this holiday season is entertainment and community activity. Even though the month is winding to a close, we still have lots of events planned for all ages. This Saturday at 3:00 pm is a Kids Craft in the Children’s Annex. Kids can enjoy making their own wrapping paper using sponges, potatoes and other found objects as stamps. At 1:00 pm on Sunday the 23rd will be the December Yarn Bee. This monthly gathering allows knitters, crocheters and other yarn enthusiasts to get together to share ideas, suggestions, and good talk. There will also be a short presentation of library materials that you can enjoy while you knit and crochet, as well as cookies and coffee. The Teen Advisory Group is also having a meeting on the 23rd, starting at 2:00 pm. This group has been drawing a lot of attention lately (of a good sort), and their Christmas party had 34 teenagers show up to socialize, play games and have a good time.