Sharon Skagen, 60, got her cell phone about three years ago, but answering it was just about the extent of her cellular knowledge. That was until Sunday afternoon.

Skagen was among the Helena seniors who received technology instruction from teen tutors at the Lewis and Clark Library Sunday.

Teen Tech Tutors for Seniors is a new program at the library that pairs Helena young people with seniors wanting to learn about e-mail, cell phones, digital cameras, or surfing the Web.

Skagen learned how to send a text message to her 13-year-old grandson in Rapid City, S.D., and how to take pictures with her cell phone.

"That phone does a whole bunch of stuff," she said. "Everything was explained to me nicely."

Pad McCraken, teen services librarian, said the program is something other libraries have been successful at and the need seemed apparent in Helena.

"Seniors need the help," he said, "and with kids it's second nature."

McCraken said the side benefit is the interaction of Helena's senior citizens with the community's young people.

"It's neat," he said of watching the interaction.

Jerin Stanger, Capital High School senior, enjoys working with older people.

"It's interesting to hear their perspectives on computers," she said. "Some seem frustrated, but want to learn."

Dora Maynard brought her digital camera to the library and Sam Grassy, a Helena Middle School eighth-grader, happily assisted her.

"The instructions on this (camera) are something else," she said. "I just wanted someone to show me how to do it."

She left feeling a bit more educated about her purple Polaroid and says she'll soon be taking pictures of her grandchildren and scenery.

McCraken said the library is considering more Teen Tech Tutors for Seniors sessions, but haven't scheduled any yet.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com