Hands-On Computer Workshops & Demonstrations

Registration Requirements  Which Workshop Should I Take?
Overview of Computer Workshops  Demonstrations

Each workshop is a hands-on, stand-alone single session. Register for each topic you wish to attend.
See each workshop description for skill level & prerequisites.. 
For more advanced topics, please check with the local community college.

Registration & Deposits

• Register in person at the Adult Services/Readers' Advisory Desk. Patrons may send a friend or family member to register them for workshops.
• Workshop size is limited to 8 students.
  (Minimum 3) Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Deposit is $5.00 cash.
  No checks or debit/credit cards.
• Deposits will be refunded when patron attends the scheduled workshop.
• The refundable deposit must accompany registration for each workshop or lab session.
• Patrons will receive a receipt in the form of a bookmark indicating the date & time of the workshop or lab.
• All topics are not offered each month.

Cancellations & Refunds

• Classes with less than 3 people registered will be cancelled, and deposits will be refunded.
• If the patron fails to give 24 hours notice of a cancellation, the deposit is forfeited, and deposited into the library's income fund.
• It is the responsibility of the patron to notify the library if they wish to cancel a registration.

Computer Basics
Class Length: approx 1.5-2 hours

Never used a computer before? Learn computer basics including using a mouse and keyboard, working with windows, and basic computer terminology. Put your fears aside, you're not alone!

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:
Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.; Registration full.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Skill level: No computer experience to Beginner

Prerequisite: Eagerness to learn!

Hands-On Introduction to Mouse
Class Length: Work at your own pace.
Lab time is scheduled for 1.5 hours. 

Learn the basics of using the mouse. Perfect for the beginner or those who need more mouse practice.
Mouse skills are required for all other classes. Work at your own pace. The tutorial takes most new users between 1 and 1.5 hours.

Hands-on tutorial will include:

• Learning how to use a mouse
• Hands-on mouse practice
• Staff to answer questions encountered during the tutorial

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Skill level: Beginner

Can't make it to class? Practice on your own!
Mousing Around: Mouse Skills Practice Site
Great for beginners! [En Español: El ratón]

If you didn't get to a screen that said "double clicking icons" and you have performed the basic mousing skills needed to interact with a computer, click here if you accidentally ended the practice early..

Internet Basics
Class Length: approx. 1.5-2 hours.

Feeling left behind on the Information Superhighway? Learn about the Internet and the World Wide Web, how to navigate a Web browser, explore the Lansing Public Library website, find information and print Web pages.

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Skill level: Beginner

Prerequisite: Mouse skills

Genealogy Basics (2 part series)
Class Length: approx. 1 hour per session.

This is a series of 2 classes for the absolute beginner to genealogy. The Saturday session combines both classes into a two-hour session.
We will cover the basics of the research that can be done with the subscription databases available at the library. Class series presented by Lansing Public Library's Ms. Higgins.

Part 1
The Census Records using Ancestry and HeritageQuest
How to use the census records on two different sources to research your family history. Using the census records is one of the first steps to researching your genealogy. We will look at how Ancestry and Heritage Quest index the census records and go over tips for searching effectively.

Beyond the Census Records
Looking at other records available such as birth, marriage, death, military records and others. The census is just a snapshot taken every 10 years. Much happens between the census years. We will look at some of the other records available from the subscription databases to fill-in more of the information about your family.

Part 2
Using Family Tree to Build Your Tree
Using software to outline your family tree. Once you gather information about your family, it is useful to see it charted as a tree or produced as a report that can be shared with other family members. The Family Tree software (available at the library) can help you do these reports.

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:

Skill level: Beginner

Prerequisite: Mouse skills

Internet Search Tools
Class Length: approx. 1.5-2 hours.

Having trouble finding what you're searching for on the Internet? Learn how to effectively search the Web using directories and search engines. Participants must be familiar with the Internet or have taken Internet Basics.

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Skill level: Beginner with some computer experience.

Prerequisite: Mouse skills and Internet experience or Internet Basics Class

Gmail: Email Basics
Class Length: approx. 1.5-2 hours.

Feel like the last person in the world without an e-mail address? Learn how to sign up for a free e-mail account on the Gmail website, and how to compose, send, reply to and forward messages. Participants must be familiar with the Internet or have taken Internet Basics.

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:

Skill level: Beginner

Prerequisite: Mouse skills and Internet experience or Internet Basics Class

Facebook
Class Length: approx. 1.5-2 hours.

Looking to reconnect with old friends, or stay connected with family? Learn how to sign up for a free account on the Facebook social networking website, how to look for old friends, send messages and become a "fan" of a page. Participants must be familiar with the Internet or have taken Internet Basics.

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:
Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

Skill level: Beginner

Prerequisite: Mouse skills and some Internet experience.

Word Processing
Class Length: approx. 1.5-2 hours.

Learn how to create simple documents, edit and format text, correct spelling, adjust margins, save print and open files in Microsoft Word 2007. Participants must feel comfortable using a mouse or have taken Computer Basics.

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Skill level: Beginner with some computer experience.

Prerequisite: Mouse skills and comfortable with a computer or have taken Computer Basics

The Invisible Web
Class Length: approx. 1.5-2 hours.

Some researchers suggest that more than 80% of authoritative information available on the Internet is not indexed by search engines, so you won't find it when you search sites like Google or Yahoo. Learn about Lansing Public Library's online resources and subscription databases like NoveList, Ebsco, Auto Repair Reference Center, NewsBank, Global Road Warrior and Encyclopaedia Britannica Online to uncover the "invisible" web. This class is intended for experienced Internet users.

Hands-on session. Limit 8.
$5 deposit and valid library card required. Register at the Adult Services Desk.

Upcoming dates:
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Skill level: Beginner/Intermediate

Prerequisite: Mouse skills and Internet experience or Internet Basics Class

Each demonstration is presented as a stand-alone single session. Register for each topic you wish to attend. All topics are not offered each month.
Demonstrations are presented in a lecture format with a single computer screen projected for all to see, with audio explanation.. 

Auto Repair Reference Center
Class Length: 45 minutes

A 45-minute training on the basics of the Auto Repair Reference Center. Topics covered include: How to research information on specific car models; Features of the interface; How to look up car repair procedures; Troubleshooting tips for the car owner or enthusiast. Sponsored by Ebsco.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

Career Library
Class Length: 1 hour

This one hour session reviews the functionality of EBSCO's subscription-based Career Library product. Topics include interest and skills assessments, exploring and comparing occupations, conducting a college search and creating a resume. Sponsored by Ebsco.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

Encyclopaedia Britannica Online
Class Length: 1 hour

1-hour overview of Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Sponsored by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

Ebsco Host Basics
Class Length: 1 hour

1-hour overview of the EBSCOhost interface. Find articles online. Sponsored by Ebsco.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

Ebsco Host Advanced Searching
Class Length: 1 hour

1-hour overview of advanced searching techniques within EBSCOhost, including recent enhancements. Sponsored by Ebsco.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

Image Searching on EBSCOhost
Class Length: 30 minutes

This 30 minute session covers the various ways to search images within the EBSCOhost interface. Sponsored by Ebsco.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

NoveList Plus Basics
Class Length: 1 hour

This session will give you a basic overview of NoveList, covering the features of the NoveList homepage as well as how to use the Basic Search box to answer common Readers' Advisory questions. This basic session is intended for beginning users of NoveList. Sponsored by Ebsco.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

NoveList K-8 Plus
Class Length: 1 hour

This one-hour session will give you a basic overview of the NoveList K-8 Plus homepage, as well as how to use the Basic Search box to support students and teachers in your school. This session will focus on the juvenile content that NoveList K-8 Plus offers to help you in your work. Sponsored by Ebsco.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

NoveList Plus Advanced Searching
Class Length: 1 hour

This session is intended for those who are already familiar with NoveList and using simple searches in NoveList to find books by author, title or series. This session will build on what you have learned and delve into getting the mose out of NoveList by using the Advanced Search. We will discuss ways to broaden or narrow searches through reading difficulty, author characteristics, reading level and more. Sponsored by Ebsco.

Registration required, no deposit.
Register at the Adult Services Desk, or click on the date below to register online.

Upcoming dates:

Independent Workshops

If the above workshops do not fit your schedule, you could try visiting our:

Technology Guides to help you use our computer resources!

Audio Podcasts to help you use our computer resources!

© Lansing Public Library

Page updated:     Please report problems with this site to LPL support.  

    Accessibility Tested with WAVE