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Amic@ stands for aulas municipales de información, comunicación y aprendizaje, loosely translated as municipal classrooms for information, communication and learning. Also known as community learning centers (CLCs), the amic@s offer a variety of telephone, fax, copy and computer services at the neighborhood level. Emphasizing the educational and civic development benefits of computers and communications technologies, CLCs increase access to basic education resources, life-long learning opportunities and information services.

This first amic@ will continue to serve as a pilot, where experimental activities can be tested, volunteers trained, and strategies for using computer and telecommunications technologies at the local level devised.

The CLC houses a server, printer and five multimedia PCs. A single-dial up telephone line and a proxy server provide all the access necessary for this small center, which was inaugurated at a ceremony in January 1998, attended by the Mayor, U.S. Ambassador Maura Harty, officials from USAID and LearnLink staff.

The Library
La Manzana de la Rivera is an art and cultural complex, headed by a leading figure in the museum community in Paraguay, that includes a theater, art exhibit space, historical museum, patio, magazine reading room and a public library. Recently, the Municipality and the Government of Spain renovated the adjoining park, making this area one of the most popular public places in the city. The amic@ is housed adjacent to the library, a prime spot with high visibility, heavy traffic and easy access.