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Free Computer Workshops
The library offers workshops on various computer topics. Each class is a one-time workshop. Classes may be repeated if desired, though it’s typically not necessary. Individual practice after each class is highly recommended. Class sizes are small—a maximum of five to eight students per workshop. Best of all, workshops are free!
We suggest taking the Computer Basics class first. Then choose a track and work your way down the list. Feel free to move between tracks as well.
Beginners Track
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| Internet Track | Microsoft Office Track |
| Electronic Databases Track |
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Workshop Descriptions:
1.5 hours
Basic elements of Windows, the PC operating system, including
- using a mouse/keyboard
- highlighting, copying, and pasting text
- common menus, toolbars, and shortcuts
- exploring programs and documents
- overview of computer hardware and storage media
- none
Basic introduction to the Internet, including
- getting online by typing in Web addresses
- understanding basic terminology and toolbar buttons of the Internet Explorer program
- using search engines to find information and Web sites
- evaluating Web sites and online information
- using intermediate and advanced online tools and search features
- Computer Basics class-or-
- familiarity with mouse, including highlighting, copying, and pasting
Creating and using a free Yahoo email account, including
- choosing a unique email address and password
- composing and sending email messages
- attaching files to email messages
- reading and replying to incoming email
- storing email addresses in a personal address book
- Computer Basics class and Internet class-or-familiarity with the following:
- using the keyboard and mouse
- getting online and entering Web addresses
- using a word processor
2 hours
In the online job searching class, students learn how to use the internet to find and apply for jobs. We discuss the features of major job searching web sites such as HotJobs and Monster. We demonstrate how to search these sites, and how to sort and refine search results. Students learn how to set up job alerts so that they receive e-mail notifications of new job openings. We also discuss formatting choices and tools for resumes, and look at how to apply for jobs via e-mail or through web sites.
Prerequisites
- Computer Basics, Word, Internet , and Yahoo E-Mail -or-
- basic familiarity with the Internet and Microsoft Word software
- a web-accessible e-mail account
2 hours
Basic Web page design and development using Microsoft FrontPage, including
- planning Web site content
- arranging and formatting text and images on Web pages
- creating links to other web pages
- editing HTML source code
- Internet and Microsoft Word-or-familiarity with the following:
- getting online and entering Web addresses
- basic Internet terminology and concepts
- using a word processor to enter and format text
This is not a beginner computer class.
2 hours
Microsoft Word Handout
Basic to intermediate word processing using Microsoft Word, including
- using menus
- creating, saving, and printing documents
- using editing shortcuts
- using Word toolbars
- formatting lists
- checking spelling and grammar
- file management
- tables
- Computer Basics class --or-- familiarity with the following:
- using the keyboard and mouse
- highlighting, copying, and pasting text
- using the basic elements of the Windows operating system (common menus, toolbars, shortcuts)
2 hours
Advanced Word Handout
Use Microsoft Word to create a newsletter and mailing labels. Some of the tasks will be familiar, while others incorporate more advanced functions that are not covered in the introductory class, such as
- customizing the toolbar
- working with drawings, WordArt, pictures, and Clip Art
- right clicking
- inserting symbols
- inserting hyperlinks and URLs
- inserting footnotes
- using Text Boxes
- Mail Merge
- finding and replacing text
- Microsoft Word class and/or
- experience using Microsoft Word
- familiarity with keyboard and mouse
- highlighting, copying, and pasting text
- basic elements of Windows operating system (common menus. toolbars, shortcuts)
- basic typing skills
This is not a beginner computer class.
Basic introduction to creating a slide presentation, including
- creating a PowerPoint presentation
- using WordArt
- adding clip art and animations
- saving and printing a presentation
- viewing a presentation
- Computer Basics and Microsoft Word --or-- equivalent experience
Basic to intermediate functions of Excel, the spreadsheet and calculation program, including
- screen and worksheet elements using a mouse/keyboard ,highlighting, copying, and pasting text, common menus, toolbars, and shortcuts exploring programs and documents
- overview of computer hardware and storage media
- Computer Basics and Microsoft Word --or--
- familiarity with a keyboard and mouse
- highlighting, copying, and pasting text
- basic elements of Windows operating system (common menus, toolbars, shortcuts)
- basic typing skills
This is not a beginner computer class.
Advanced Microsoft Excel
2 hours
Learn advanced Excel skills not covered in the introductory class including
- advanced charts
- filtering and subtotaling data
- conditional formatting
- concatenating text and splitting text into columns
- adding comments and text boxes
- using logic-based functions
- printing worksheets with repeating header rows and columns
- importing and exporting data
- PivotTables and PivotCharts
Prerequisites
- Microsoft Word and Excel classes (with additional experience using Excel outside of class)
- creating formulas and basic charts in Excel
- highlighting, copying, and pasting text
This is an advanced class.
Basic database design and development using Microsoft Access, including
- creating tables and forms
- entering and editing data
- creating queries
- generating and formatting reports
- establishing table relationships
- proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel)
- some familiarity with basic database concepts
This is an advanced class.
Using EBSCO periodicals databases, including
- finding online magazine and newspaper articles on a subject
- indexing a particular magazine
- reading, printing, e-mailing, or saving full-text articles
- choosing a specialized database
- accessing databases from home or office
- Computer Basics and Internet class --or--
- familiarity with mouse and intermediate online searching skills
2 hours
Introduction to two online genealogy databases:
Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest
- searching census, death, and family records
- searching full-text books
- accessing Heritage Quest from home
- Computer Basics and Internet class --or--
- familiarity with mouse and intermediate online searching skills
Introduction to several online and print investing sources, including
- Morningstar
- Valueline
- Yahoo Finance
- Computer Basics and Internet class --or--
- familiarity with mouse and intermediate online searching skills
Advanced Google search techniques and review of Google's news, image, and shopping databases, including
- phrase, file type, and specific searches
- Google News and News Alerts
- Google Maps
- Google Video
- Google Book Search
- Computer Basics and Internet class --or--
- familiarity with mouse and intermediate online searching skills using search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Ask.com
- using a word processor to enter and format text
Explores useful free federal government Internet resources for seniors, including
- visiting web sites on health, legislation, education, history, and more
- using this list of links posted on the library's web site
- Computer Basics and Internet classes --or-- basic knowledge of Internet searching
Class Schedules
All classes are offered during the day on weekdays. Click here to view upcoming classes on our calendar.
How to Register
To register for classes, call the Library at 589-4611.
We hold a spot for you if you're signed up, so please call
us in advance if you're not able to make it for your
reserved class.
Individualized Assitance and Tutorials
Reference librarians are happy to help customers learn to use the library's online catalog (searching and reserving library books and videos, checking your library account, etc.) and the library's databases. Depending on availability, we are also glad to help customers sign up for a Yahoo E-mail account. (Please note: this is not as extensive as the Yahoo E-mail class.)
Self-paced online tutorials for some Microsoft programs are available on the Business Computers. Familiarity with using a mouse and other basic computer skills are required for using these tutorials.
Please call the Reference Department at 589-4611 for more information.
Learn to use the mouse - Mouserobics