Opportunities for beginner through advanced computer training vary by location. All are free.

Self-Teaching on the Gates Foundation computers 

At each library location, you can access a set of excellent, interactive tutorials on many computer programs. They are divided into multiple segments so that you can choose which aspect to focus on, or start at the very beginning and finish with in-depth knowledge--the equivalent of a semester-long course. These tutorials are self-paced and include audio and video feedback. Although they were written a few years ago, they are still very useful even for learning current versions. Programs covered are:

• Internet Explorer (5.5)
• Microsoft Word 2000
• Excel 2000
• PowerPoint 2000
• Publisher 2000
• FrontPage 2000
• HTML 4.0
• Access 2000

The Gates Foundation updated these tutorials with Microsoft Office XP Interactive Training, also available on each Gates computer. This covers the newest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. In general we do not find the Interactive Training to be as user-friendly as the older tutorials, but it is still very good.

One-on-One Training and Group Classes

At the Main Library in Montrose, one-time 45-minute training sessions on using the Internet (ranging from "I've never touched a computer before!" to "Show me advanced searching strategies") can be scheduled with Systems Librarian Hilary Caws-Elwitt. Contact her at the email address on the bottom of every page, or by calling 570-278-1881. Ongoing, more wide-ranging classes can be scheduled with our wonderful volunteer, John Rudzanski. Mr. Rudzanski is an experienced computer professional who generously donates his time to help people learn computer programs. Contact the Main Library for more information.

For information on when computer classes or training may be available at the branch libraries, contact your local branch.