Computer Classes

The Portsmouth Public Library offers a number of free, hands-on computer classes. The classes are held at the library on weekdays and generally run for 1 and 1/2 hours. Days and times of the classes vary, and some classes have prerequisites. Each class is a one-time workshop which can be repeated if necessary. Each class will accommodate up to 8 students, and computers are provided. To register, call (603) 766-1720 or click the class name on the schedule below.

Online learning: In addition to our in-person classes, the library also offers video courses on a wide variety of computer and technical topics through Lynda.comClick here to learn more or click here to get started!

Class Schedule

Classes are on hiatus while the library is closed. Please check back when we reopen!

Courses Offered

(Click links to see class descriptions and prerequisites)

Getting Started

Microsoft Office Applications

Google Tools

Social Media

Websites & Blogs

Additional courses offered on occasion

 

Class Descriptions

Getting Started

Computer Basics: Basic elements of Windows, including: using the mouse and keyboard, highlighting, copying, and pasting text, common menus, toolbars, and shortcuts, exploring programs and documents, overview of computer hardware and storage media

  • Prerequisites: none 

Internet Basics: Introduction to the Internet, including getting online, understanding basic terminology, toolbar buttons in Internet Explorer, using search sites, evaluating Web sites and online information, using intermediate and advanced online tools and search features

  • Prerequisites: Computer Basics class -or- familiarity with the mouse, including highlighting, copying, and pasting

 

Microsoft Office Applications

Microsoft Word Basics (parts 1 & 2): Learn how to create, save and print word processing documents, including using editing shortcuts, formatting lists, checking spelling and grammar and using Word toolbars. The class will also include discussion of how to save and organize files. The class is split into two parts because there is too much to cover in one 90-minute class. Both parts are intended for beginners.

  • Prerequisites: Computer Basics class -or- familiarity with using the keyboard and mouse; highlighting, copying, and pasting text; and using the basic elements of the Windows operating system

Intermediate Microsoft Word: This class is for those who have taken the Library's Microsoft Word Parts 1 & 2 classes and are looking to learn more advanced Word skills such as creating columns and tabs, breaking a document into multiple sections with unique headers and footers, tracking document changes and completing a mail merge. There will also be a brief introduction to Google Docs.

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Word parts 1 & 2 -or- proficiency in most basic Word skills including cut, copy & paste, formatting text, changing paragraph alignments, spell check and page numbering; must also be familiar using the basic elements of the Windows operating system

Microsoft Excel Basics: Learn how to navigate within an Excel worksheet, enter and edit data, select ranges, format cells, and create simple formulas and charts.

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Word class - or - familiarity with using the keyboard and mouse; highlighting, copying, and pasting text; and using the basic elements of the Windows operating system, familiar with Microsoft Word. 

Intermediate Microsoft Excel: Learn intermediate Excel skills not covered in the introductory class including advanced charts, filtering and subtotaling data, conditional formatting, concatenating text and splitting text into columns, using logic-based functions, printing worksheets with repeating header rows and columns, and PivotTables and PivotCharts.

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Excel Basics class - or - Experience using Excel outside of class, creating formulas and basic charts in Excel, familiar with Microsoft Word. 

Advanced Microsoft Excel: Learn a lot about PivotTables and PivotCharts and a little about VLOOKUP. Plus feel free to come with questions about other advanced topics or send them in advance to the instructor.

  • Prerequisites: Intermediate Microsoft Excel class - or - Experience using Excel outside of class, creating formulas and charts in Excel, familiar with Microsoft Word. 

Microsoft Powerpoint: Learn how to use design templates for slides and how to add WordArt, clip art and animations. We'll also discuss how to save, view and print a presentation, as well as posting your presentation online for others to view.

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Word class - or - familiarity with using the keyboard and mouse; highlighting, copying, and pasting text; and using the basic elements of the Windows operating system. 

Microsoft Publisher: This class covers the available templates and what Publisher provides you when you use templates. Also, we go over ways to modify template content. As a model we work on a basic newsletter. By all means come and learn more about this powerful editor. There is no need to have used Publisher before.

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Word Basics class - or - some experience using Microsoft Word outside of class 

Microsoft Access Basics: Learn basic database design and development concepts and skills including creating tables and forms, entering and editing data, creating queries, generating reports, establishing table relationships and more

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Excel Basics class - or - Experience using Access and Excel outside of class

Intermediate Microsoft Access: Go beyond the basics of building tables, forms, querries and reports. 
Learn to create interactive forms and build macros that dynamically produce reports.

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Access Basics class - or - Experience using Access and Excel outside of class.

Microsoft Outlook: Learn how to use the email, calendar, contacts and tasks functions in Outlook. We'll look at options for setting up your view, create emails using a Google email account from within Outlook, add some meetings to the calendar (and invite attendees), start to build a list of contacts and create some tasks.

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Word class - or - familiarity with using the keyboard and mouse; highlighting, copying, and pasting text; and using the basic elements of the Windows operating system.

Intermediate Microsoft Outlook: Delve deeper into the email, calendar and contacts functionalities in Outlook. Explore Views in email, work with Scheduling Assistant in calendar, and explore the many fields available in Contacts. The objective is higher efficiency through effective use of Outlook’s powerful features

  • Prerequisites: Microsoft Outlook- or - familiarity with using Outlook 2010 or 2013; very important – the expectation is that student is comfortable with all aspects of Outlook and is simply looking to dig deeper.

OneNote Basics: This free application comes with MS Office or can be downloaded separately. Learn how to create virtual notebooks with sections, subsections and pages. Think of it as 3-ring binders that can be accessed from most devices (with Apps) and shared to edit with others.

 

Social Media

Facebook: An introduction to Facebook, including privacy, posting a status updating, commenting, liking & sharing, editing your profile, messages, and finding other people and pages. May include pages and groups, depending on the skill level of the group.

  • Prerequisites: Must be comfortable using the keyboard and mouse and have basic knowledge of using the Internet. 

Twitter: An introduction to Twitter, including logging in, tweets, hashtags, sharing media, following accounts, mentions vs. retweets, direct messaging, and creating lists.

  • Prerequisites: Must be comfortable using the keyboard and mouse and have basic knowledge of using the Internet.

Instagram: An introduction to Instagram, including uses for the app, signing in, connecting to other accounts, posting, commenting, liking, saving, hashtags, using tools and filters for photos and videos, “Your Story,” and using Instagram for business.

  • Prerequisites: Must own & be comfortable with a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. Instagram’s full features are only available in the mobile app.

LinkedIn: Come learn the fundamentals of using LinkedIn, one of the world’s largest professional networks with over 65 million members and growing rapidly. We'll cover how to set up your profile and how to connect with trusted contacts. We also discuss how LinkedIn helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.

  • Prerequisites: Must be comfortable using the keyboard, the mouse and the Internet. If you have or can create a LinkedIn account before the start of class, that's ideal. In order to create a new LinkedIn account while at the class, you must have a working email address that can be accessed online from the library, for example with Yahoo or Gmail.

 

Other Internet Topics

Google in Depth: Learn techniques to dramatically improve your searching skills. Explore Google's images database and learn how to legally copy images from the Internet and put them into your own documents. Discover Google Documents which allow you to create, store and share secure Word, Excel and PowerPoint files online.

  • Prerequisites: Must be comfortable using the keyboard, the mouse and the Internet. If you don't have your own Google account, we will have fake accounts available for you to use. 

Google Apps: Google Apps is a package of free online tools that can help make your life easier. Take this class and learn:

  • how to create events on your calendar directly from an email.
  • how to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
  • the basics about Gmail, Google Calendar, Docs/Drive, and Google Keep.

This class is useful to anyone who wants to learn more about online tools, but it is especially useful for parents and students in school. Nowadays many school children are required to use Google Drive to receive and submit homework assignments.

  • Prerequisites: Comfort using a computer is expected. Experience using the Internet is helpful.

Google Drive: Google Drive is a free online tool for creating and storing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Google Drive allows multiple users to work on a document at once. Google Drive is becoming a more common tool used in middle and high schools. Students can create and hand in homework online. Google Drive is also great for college students and freelance workers.

  • Prerequisites: Must be comfortable using the keyboard and mouse. Should be comfortable navigating the Internet.

Intro to Wordpress, Part 1: WordPress is an online blog and website creation tool. In this beginner class you will learn the basics of how to create blog posts and web pages. In this class you will be introduced to:

  • how to publish a blog post
  • inserting and editing images
  • inserting and editing text
  • creating hyperlinks
  • how to publish a webpage
  • themes and theme options
  • what is a widget?

Intro to Wordpress, Part 2: A review of the WordPress basics with a more in-depth look at all the elements that make up blog posts, webpages, and widgets.

Intro to HTML, Part 1: Learn how to write pure Hypertext Markup Language code, the code that all webpages are built upon. Learn the basic HTML tags and how to use them effectively to structure your pages. The class will include plenty of interactive, hands-on examples. This is a class for the slightly geeky who really want to know what it takes to build a webpage from scratch.

  • Prerequisites: Should be comfortable using the Internet and have a bit of a geeky streak. No previous HTML experience needed at all!

Intro to HTML, Part 2: Learn about Cascading Stylesheets (CSS) and how to use them to affect the look and feel of your webpages. We'll cover how to link to external stylesheets as well as insert CSS code internally. Plenty of hands-on exercises.

  • Prerequisites: Should be comfortable using the Internet and have taken the Intro to HTML, part 1 class.

 

Others

Email Basics: Creating and using a free Google 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, and storing email addresses in a personal address book

  • Prerequisites: Computer Basics class and Internet class -or- familiarity with using the keyboard and mouse, getting online and entering Web addresses

Downloadable Audiobooks & eBooks: Learn how to use the library's downloadable audiobook service including: how to search through the library's collection of downloadable audiobooks, how to check one out and download it to your computer, and how to transfer it to your MP3 player/iPod or burn it to a CD.

  • Prerequisites: Must be comfortable using the keyboard and mouse and have basic knowledge of using the Internet. This is not a class for brand new computer users

Photo Editing: An introduction to the basics of photo editing, using the free online tool Pixlr. Concepts can be applied to other photo editing tools. Includes opening an image, rotating, resizing, adjusting color and light, applying filters, adding text, using tools like Redeye, Spot Heal, and Dodge/Burn, and saving images.

  • Prerequisites: Must be comfortable using the keyboard and mouse and have basic knowledge of using the Internet.

Using the Library Catalog: Come learn ways to find what you're looking for in the library catalog. We'll cover basic search techniques that are guaranteed to save you time, including narrowing your search to specific media, for example DVDs. We'll review how to place a request for an item that is checked out and how to renew items online. Plus, we'll give an overview of Encore, an exciting alternative to the classic interface for searching the catalog.

  • Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this class, but it would help if you are comfortable using a mouse and have some familiarity with the keyboard. Experience using the Internet is also a plus. 

Library Databases: In this class we give an overview of many of the library's databases that people don't often know about such as EBSCO (for magazine and newspaper research,) several genealogy research databases (such as Ancestry.Com and Heritage Quest,) as well as Reference USA, Foundation Center, Learning Express, Mango Languages, Mitchell's Online.

  • Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this class, but it would help if you are comfortable using a mouse and have some familiarity with the keyboard. Experience using the Internet is also a plus.

Intro to 3D Printing: An introduction to the basics of 3D printing and design, including: 3D printing at Portsmouth Public Library, a brief history of 3D printers, materials used, how to find 3D designs online and resources for creating your own designs. Bonus: Get one free print by taking this class!

  • Prerequisites: None

3D Design: An introduction to basic 3D design using the free web-based software, Tinkercad.  The class will cover creating an account, planning an object in three dimensions, using the basic tools in Tinkercad and creating a specific object. Bonus: Get one free print by taking this class!Prerequisites:

  • Prerequisites: 3D Printing class or familiarity with 3D printers and printing.

 

Online learning

In addition to our in-person classes, the library offers access to video courses on a wide variety of computer and technical topics through Lynda.com. Click here to learn more or click here to get started!

 

To learn more, call (603) 766-1720.
https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/library/computer-classes
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