[Publib] RE: Public computer classes

[Patrick F Dunn]

I have been conducting basic internet searching workshops at our library
for the past few years.  I'm starting to expand the program by offering
other subjects, like e-mail, advanced browser searching, and using the
library catalog, but we're very limited in what we can do, having no
"lab" - just a few public access machines reserved for the session.  I
do get some feedback from patrons who just want to know the most basic
stuff on using a computer, but that seems inappropriate, as well as
impractical, since our security (and policy) blocks out hard drive
access and other utilities. 

What kind of facilities are others using for their workshops?

Patrick Dunn
Reference Librarian
Elko County Library
Elko, Nevada



-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Autumn Gerfen
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 5:19 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] RE: Public computer classes

We have a gentleman who volunteers his time to teach people basic
computer
skills. This is very basic knowledge, beginning simply from things like
how
to use a mouse and how to turn on a computer. The goal is to eventually
get
them be able to use the internet without help and to set up an e-mail. 

His sessions are usually an hour long and there's a total of 3 classes.
We
have had so many patrons signing up that he is dedicating his Tuesday
nights
as well as Saturday mornings just to teach these classes.

Autumn Gerfen
Library Associate
Perris Public Library