Meet Our Technology Aides

I think we can all agree that technology is daunting. New and more complex software, devices, and applications are designed and published every day. Although these tools are meant to be helpful and are supposed to make our lives easier, understanding how they function can be rather difficult. Getting help for tech questions and problems can be pricey and time consuming. Luckily, CMPLD has three extraordinary Technology Aides ready to assist patrons with basic computer questions, teach workshops in the Digital Studios, and explore eLibrary options!

Erik Gold

Erik has been a Tech Aide at Cook Memorial Public Library since July of 2017. Additionally, he works full-time for the Special Education District of Lake County. Erik enjoys drawing, painting, playing table top-role playing games such as Pathfinder, lifting weights, watching good movies and TV shows, and collecting comic books. His favorite comics to read are The Punisher and The Walking Dead.

He is available to help on weekends, alternating between Cook Park and Aspen, from 1pm to 5 pm and Monday nights at Cook Park from 5pm to 9pm.

Aside from assisting patrons with any and all computer or technology-related questions, including helping with copy machines, scanning and faxing, printing, etc., Erik runs workshops in the digital studios for converting photos, slides, and negatives into digital format and also converting video tapes and burning them onto DVDs. Starting this month, Erik will be running workshops on converting audio cassette tapes and how to set up a recording session.

Erik enjoys the various forms of technology CMPLD has to offer and is excited to show them to anyone who’s willing to learn!

Kristina Imshaite

Kristina recently finished her AA degree at CLC and is taking the rest of the school year to find the major, career choice, and university that suits a curious and ever-changing mind. Her interests include but are not limited to prose/poetry, music production, and food (the cooking and the eating of it). She’s truly honored to work at CMPLD and be surrounded by so many amazing individuals, staff and patrons alike. Kristina is always eager to assist with any tech-related questions you may have.

Kristina teaches workshops in the Digital Studio at Aspen Drive every Monday evening. eLibrary appointments with Kristina are available every Saturday at 1:30pm, switching off weekends between Aspen Drive and Cook Park. You can find her at Aspen Drive Monday evenings from 5pm to close and 1pm to 5pm on weekends alternating between Aspen Drive and Cook Park.

Check out CMPLD’s blog, Shelf Life, to get The Scoop about tech devices and resources the library has to offer.

Ryan May

Ryan is currently studying history at Lake Forest College. Besides working at CMPLD as a tech aide, Ryan also is involved with the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society and the Ansel B. Cook Home in Libertyville. In his spare time, he likes to do projects that include video editing and Photoshop projects as well as create electronic music.

Here at CMPLD, Ryan assists patrons with basic troubleshooting as well as help them navigate websites, compose emails, edit multimedia, operate our printers/fax-machines/scanners, and show them how to use the Digital Studios.

Patrons can find Ryan Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5pm-9pm at Aspen Drive. On Wednesdays, he works at Cook Park from 5pm-9pm. You can also find Ryan at Cook Park on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm at The Workshop in the lower level.

Feel free to come into Aspen Drive or Cook Park with specific tech questions and our tech aides will be more than glad to assist! Interested in making something in the Digital Studios? Book some time at either location!