Upgrade your computer skills

Need a refresher or do you regularly describe yourself as "computer illiterate"? Time to give our free computer classes a go. We will increasing our class offerings as of May to include our round of Basic courses normally taught on Monday evening to be repeated on Wednesday evenings at the same time/same station, 6-7 in the classroom.
If you would like to join us for classes in computer fundamentals, beginning word processing, email basics and internet searching give us a call and reserve a spot. We'd love to help increase your comfort level when it comes to computers... and it's all free.
See our website for a full listing of our classes at http://www.missoulapubliiclibrary.org/classes#Computer Classes

TAXES! TAXES! TAXES @ MPL!

As much as it may pain us, it is time of year to start looking at tax preparation. For some of us this is a happy time when we can look forward to that government imposed savings (also known as withholding) to come back to us as a refund. For others of us it is a time to think about increasing our withholding for next year so that we don't have such an unpleasant surprise that needs to be paid off by the 18th of April.

This week the library is offering the first of several classes in our computer classroom to give you some help. Our class this Wednesday (2/9) at 12:30, and again on the 9th of March, will help you locate and navigate your way through the online Federal tax forms. On the 23rd of February and March (Wednesdays at 12:30) we are offering classes that will help you out with the MT state forms.

Give us a call at 721-2665 (BOOK) or stop by one of the desks at the library and sign up now. To find information on the other classes that we are offering this month go to http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/events/Computoclass.htm

Facebook class today @ MPL

New to Facebook or have been wondering what it's all about? Make some time on Wednesday at 12:30 to join us for our Facebook and Beyond class that will cover the basics of this social networking phenomenon. We wil cover the basic how to's and take a look at why the privacy settings are important to, well, your privacy. Give us a call at 721-BOOK (2665) and we'll save a seat for you.

the 2010s are here!

LearningExpress Library has added new courses for WORD 2010, EXCEL 2010 and OUTLOOK 2010. If you are interested in learning these new programs log into our website and go to the E-databses link www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/resources/online.htm select Learning Express Library and go to the computer skills center for these self-paced computer classes. Don't have access to the internet? Come on down to the library and ask to use a computer. Our staff will be happy to help you get ahead. Think... more!

The browser for you

We will be hosting a class on web browsers this Wednesday at 12:30 in the computer classroom. A comparison of IE, Firefox and Google Chrome, this class will look at the pros and cons of these three major browsers and help you choose the one that is best for you. Sign up for this class by calling the library at 721-2665 (BOOK). You can see what our other offerings are by going to http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/events/Computoclass.htm. Our classes are free to all so sign up for a class and learn something new this week. Think... more!

Social networking nerd?

If you are new to Facebook or other social networking tools and would like some expert guidance there is still room in our computer class on Wednesday December 1st at 12:30. Call to reserve your spot and I'll bet that you will learn something helpful. There will be time for questions.
If you aren't familiar with our classroom and the regular schedule of classes that we offer, take a look at our website at http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/events/Computoclass.htm to see our schedule of offerings. In addition to our live classes every Monday evening and Wednesday at lunch time you can also increase your computer aptitude with our computer skills courses through LearningExpressLibrary http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/learningCenter/computerSkills. Whether you have a MAC or a PC you will find training for all levels of experience covering a variety of programs.

Computer tip

WORD 2007 is definitely different from earlier versions of WORD. Our word processing class this Monday evening will cover basics but if you are interested in trying something a little more advanced - how's this for a trick? Say you are typing away and have added a list in your document. Then let's say you decide it would look so much nicer if the list were in alphabetical order. Retype it? No way! Just highlight the text that needs to be sorted into alphabetical order then click the AZ SORT button on the Paragraph section of the Home ribbon. You will be given options for how you would like it sorted in the drop down menu; just select text and ascending and the program will take care of it for you.
There are lots of great tips that you can learn in our classes. We have classes Monday evenings from 6-7 and Wednesdays 12:30-1:30. And all our classes are free. Think... more!

Genealogy @ MPL

People who know say that Missoula Public Library has one of the best genealogical collections in Western Montana. In addition to our print resources we provide access to the two main databases available to those researching family histories, Heritage Quest and Ancestry. If you haven't a clue how to use the vast array of resources available for tracking ancestors you may be interested in joining us for a class in our computer classroom on Genealogical Resources on Wednesday, June 30th from 12:30-1:30. A local expert will lead the class and space is limited so sign up now by calling 721-2665.

Think... more!

It's a Techno World

A recent study conducted by the University of Washington found that nearly 1/3 of Americans ages 14 and older (about 77 million people) used a public library computer or wireless network to go online in the past year. What are all these people doing? Many are searching for jobs, applying for college or government benefits, learning about their health, and connecting with their community. (see survey results)

This isn't a huge surprise here in Missoula. Every month we field more than 1,000 questions in Web Alley, our public Internet access room. And those are just the people who ask a question. Even more are regularly using the computers, or linking into our free wifi (have you seen the new electric outlets set up by eddie's coffeeshop?).

Feeling left behind the technology wave? Or just interested in honing your skills? We're now offering computer classes each week on Monday evenings and Wednesdays at lunchtime on a variety of topics from the basic like using the mouse to more complicated Excel spreadsheets - or how to get those holiday pictures from your camera to your computer and beyond.

Plus, we're opening our computer classroom on Saturday mornings to anyone interested in taking a practice test (we have online tutorials for the SATs, GREs, citizenship, and more - try the LearningExpress Library) or working on a resume (we also have resources to help you get started in your job search).

So come to the library for a class or just to use the wifi - 1/3 of Americans are doing it!

Did you know?

The library's collection of electronic databases contain a number of health and wellness resources that may have the answer to your health questions. Need information on your doctor's recent diagnosis? Our Health and Wellness Resource Center may have a concise overview to give you the basic information that you need. Want to understand the side effects of your latest prescription? You can do a quick search in Health Reference Center Academic and get a handful of articles. These are just two of a myriad of resources available from your library for free. Want to find out more on how to use what we've got for you?
Sign up for one of our two Health Info Resources classes being taught this month. This class is available this Wednesday at 12:30, as well as at 6:00 on the 29th. This class will be repeated in April and May, we think it is that important. So sign up for an hour that will help you know more about managing your health by contacting the library.
Think...more free computer resources.

Internet search tip

Monday night from 6-7 will be our Internet Searching computer class. Remember that the more specific you can be, the better your chances for finding exactly what you want.
For instance, you are looking for a part to repair your refrigerator - a search for refrigerator parts will get you 8,560,000 results, a search for Frigidaire refrigerator parts will get you 361,000 results and a search for the part number 240337901 will narrow it down further to only 7,150 results. It may still sound like lots more than you need but it's lots better than 8 1/2 million, right?
Learn this and more at our free computer classes.
Think... more!

Publish like a pro

Are you interested in making your own business cards? A flyer? A greeting card? Basically, anything that takes some graphic design? The library has Publisher software to help with your project. But where should you begin?

As part of our ongoing computer courses, we are planning a Publisher class for Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 12:30 p.m. You can learn the ins and outs (and ups and downs) of Publisher. By the end of the class, you'll feel comfortable enough to sit down and play around with your own posters, postcards, or brochures. Sign up at the Reference Desk or call 721-2665. Space is limited to 6 participants so you can get personalized assistance.

Here's a helpful Publisher tip:
When you're resizing a picture in your layout, you have to be careful to not squash it...

You can avoid this (and not make Aunt Martha made because you gave her an extra 25 pounds in the family newsletter) by only resizing from the corners, never a side. Click on your picture and drag from the box on the corner, and you'll end up with a proportionately correct graphic.

Get more helpful tips on layout and Publisher at our class next week. See you there.