December Technology Trainings @ the Central Library in Copley Square

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The calendar of Technology Workshops being conducted in December at the Central Library in Copley Square has been released! View it online today.

Highlights include:

Google Advanced Search
Go beyond the basics, with advanced searching on the Google search engine.

Google Maps
Explore all the features of Google Maps, including: directions, street view, and other viewing options.

SkyDrive Overview
Take a tour of Microsoft’s online productivity suite. Create new documents and learn about sharing documents.

As well as classes about the Library’s Historical Newspapers, Ancestry Databases, Facebook, and more.

Cyber Security and the Department of Homeland Security

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Department of Homeland SecurityRepresentatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) came to Boston last week for Cyber Week, the first location for the National Cyber Security Awareness Campaign – STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Boston was selected because we have “demonstrated (our) understanding of the importance of cybersecurity and – through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – are a member of the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. coalition. The week started with a Town Hall Event in the Rabb Auditorium led by DHS Director of Cybersecurity Coordination, Michael A. Brown. Representatives from many influential organizations attended, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, the U.S. Secret Service, the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Stop Badware project at Harvard Law School. The President of RSA spoke. On Tuesday DHS conducted a train-the-trainers discussion for Librarians as well as a Cyber Security for Seniors program for the public. A public training on how to stay safe online will be conducted at Copley on Wednesday, November 30 (2:30-3:30). As with all public trainings, staff are welcome to attend and participate as long as space is available. For more information, please contact Clayton Cheever.

November Calendar now available

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The November calendar of Technology Trainings at the BPL Central Branch at Copley has just been published. No prior registration is currently required for any of these courses. Please note that some courses have prerequisites: for example it is expected that students who wish to participate in the “Use your Gmail account” class (on Tuesday, November 29) will already have a Gmail account. Several others expect some internet experience and familiarity with a mouse.

The basic courses that have no prerequisites are:

  • Introduction to the Computer (11/9)
  • How to use a mouse or touchpad (11/2)
  • Keyboard Basics (11/25)

BPL project update

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In the third quarter of 2011 (July, August, and September), 290 Technology Trainings were offered and 831 hours of instruction were delivered to 708 students. Across the City laptops were loaned 3,718 times. It is the library’s goal to offer at least one class a week at every branch and at least an hour of training every day at Copley. Many branches are coming close to meeting this goal!

The best place to find out what courses are being offered around the city (including classes conducted by the Boston Housing Authority and the Boston Centers for Youth and Families) is this online calendar.

Patrons and staff with questions, comments, suggestions, and needs should contact Clayton Cheever, project manager for the Library’s contributions to this important city-wide initiative.

Daily trainings now happening at BPL / Copley

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Starting in September, daily trainings in technology are offered at the Boston Public Library Central Library in Copley Square. Some examples of classes being offered include:

  • How to use a mouse
  • Using America’s Historical Newspaper databases
  • Introduction to Facebook
  • Create a gmail account
  • Keyboard basics
  • Introduction to the Library’s new catalog

and many others.

Here is a link to the Central Library’s monthly calendar of events.

All 26 Library Branches have laptops available to borrow

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Every Massachusetts resident can obtain a library card for free. A library card is the ticket to gain access to so many amazing resources and now laptops have been added to the long list. People who wish to borrow a laptop must have leave photo identification on deposit for the duration of the loan and sign a contract accepting responsibility for the laptop while checked out to them.

Every Boston Public Library branch has laptops available for library card holders to borrow for up to 2 hours of in-library use. For details about how to borrow a laptop, read the borrowing guidelines and contract (PDF).

Use this map to find the branch closest to you.

BBCCC is a go at Mildred Avenue!

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The grand kickoff event at the Mildred Avenue Community Center was covered by Boston.com on August 24th. It’s a good article, and showcases the current and future possibilities of this program.

The enhanced computing centers will include desktops open for free use and a variety of classes and after-school programs with new software, from job readiness to basic computer skills, Spanish to English for speakers of other languages. Software funded by the grant includes Windows 7, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, Family Tree Maker, and Adobe Photoshop.

Look for more great coverage to come.