Bell Atlantic Hosts Free Internet Learning Day for Annapolis Residents

Bell Atlantic Hosts Free Internet Learning Day
for Annapolis Residents

Anne Arundel County Public Libraries and
Other Community Groups Support Initiative

February 25, 2000

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages will host its 15th free
Internet Learning Day tomorrow at Anne Arundel Community College.
The Internet Learning Day, which is part of Bell Atlantic's ongoing
Internet education series, has introduced more than 3,000 people to the
World Wide Web.

The event coincides with the distribution of the 2000-2001 Annapolis
Yellow Pages, which features the Internet Guide. The 8-page guide,
bound inside the Yellow Pages, is a step-by-step primer designed to help
educate novice Internet users.

The Internet Learning Day will consist of hour-long sessions offering a
general overview of the Internet and frequently-used vocabulary. Each
participant will also receive hands-on experience surfing the Web.

"As a leader in the community, Bell Atlantic strives to provide
comprehensive and accurate information for residents and
businesses," said Mary Jo Howe, vice president of marketing and
customer care at Bell Atlantic Directory Group. "The Internet
Learning Day series and the Internet Guide help people, who do not have
access to Internet training, to get started."

Saturday's Internet Learning Day event-expected to attract some 150
participants-is
co-sponsored by a number of community-based organizations, including
the Anne Arundel County Public Libraries, YMCA, YWCA of Annapolis,
Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and the Bowie Senior Center

"The public library system serves as an educational resource for the
community," said Andrea Lewis, Anne Arundel County Public
Libraries. "We support the Internet Learning Day initiative because
it offers instruction and training that builds upon the resources we offer the
community."

The advertiser-supported Internet Guide is a tabbed insert that contains
information on hardware and software requirements, a step-by-step
approach for connecting to the World Wide Web, tips on choosing an
Internet service provider, Frequently Asked Questions, and a list of top
regional and national Web sites.

Participants receive information on places they can access the Internet for
free and ways to acquire a personal computer at a reduced cost. Each
partipcant can also register to win a free personal computer.

Bell Atlantic is the world's largest publisher of Yellow Pages shopping
directories. Its affiliate, Bell Atlantic Electronic Commerce Services, is the
creator of BigYellow®, a leading national online shopping service.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With nearly 44 million telephone access lines and
12 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are
premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services and market
leaders in wireless services. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the
world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets,
with operations and investments in 23 countries.