Technology Classes
Technology classes for adults are offered on a regular basis and cover a variety of topics from computer basics to Microsoft Office software to special topics like cybersecurity.
Registration
Registration is required (unless otherwise noted) and opens on a specified date one month prior to the newsletter cycle (ex: December 15th for January and February). Registering for the first class in a designated series automatically enrolls you in all required sessions. All other classes require separate registration. Register online through our event calendar, by phone (847-429-4597), or in person. If you cannot attend a session you have registered for, please cancel so someone on the waitlist may attend.
Classroom Guidelines
Classes held in the Computer Training Room are limited to 15 participants. Classes begin at their scheduled times and run for 45-90 minutes, depending on the content. Late participants may not be admitted, and their spots may be given to participants on the waitlist.
Technology Class Survey
Feedback is important to us! After you have completed one of our classes please take a couple minutes to fill out our survey.
Tech Class Survey
Basics
For those who are new to computers and looking to build foundational knowledge and skills.
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Register online for in-person classes at Gail Borden Library. Classes are offered on a rotating schedule. Topics include:
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Computers 101 series
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Build Your Own PC series
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Device Maintenance
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Cybersecurity
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Windows 10
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Register for a six-week online class. Gale Courses offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor led courses that you can take entirely online. As a Gail Borden Public Library card holder, you are entitled to these courses at no cost. Topics include: Keyboarding, Introduction to Windows 10, Computer Skills for the Workplace, Introduction to PC Security, and many other classes.
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Learn online at your own pace with Niche Academy. Topics include: Understanding Computers, Passwords, Home Networks, and much more.
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Learn online at your own pace with GCF Learn Free. Topics include Basic Computer Skills, using a Mouse, Typing, and other basic and advanced topics. Much of the content is also available in Spanish at Aprende Libre.
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Learn online at your own pace with Digital Learn. Topics include: Getting Started on a Computer, using a Windows 10 PC, using a Mac, using Search Engines, and much more.
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Software
Classes for those looking to enhance their skills with various software, computers, or devices.
3D Design & Print Series:
Series Description: Learn 3D design and printing fundamentals and putting your skills to the test in this series. Each class offers the opportunity to design and print a pre-determined object using Tinkercad.
1. Basics: Are you curious about the new wave of 3D printing? Learn how these machines work and create a Tinkercad account to design an object for printing.
2. Intermediate: Learn how to enhance your design skills by exploring additional tools in Tinkercad to create a new object for printing.
3. Advanced: Bring your imagination and new-found skills to practice creating everyday objects.
CODING SERIES
Series Description: Learn how to start coding with the programming languages HTML and CSS in this three-part series.
1. HTML Basics: Learn how to identify individual computer parts and where to purchase them.
2. CSS Basics: Learn how to link pages and create menus using a pre-structured set of HTML pages and start styling page elements with CSS
3. CSS Beyond Basics: Learn about the box model, margins, padding, positioning, and layout concepts using CSS to style your web page.
WORDPRESS SERIES
Series Description: Learn how Wordpress.com allows users to create, design and add function to your own website in this three-part series.
1. Creating Your Website: Learn how to register an account, establish a domain name, pick a theme, and start creating pages and blog posts using WordPress.com.
2. Designing Your Website: Learn how to create a menu list and customize the style and layout of your website with images and colors.
3. Adding Function to Your Website: Learn how to add widgets to give your website special functionality for displaying image galleries, featured posts, social media icons and forms.
DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING SERIES
Series Description: Wondering what to do with all the photos you’ve taken? Learn how to create meaningful digital collages and scrapbook pages using Photoshop Elements.
1. Basics: Learn how to navigate the Photoshop Elements software and create a basic scrapbook page by inserting photos, adding graphics and working with layers.
2. Editing: Learn how to enhance your scrapbook pages by using basic editing tools.
Gmail: Learn how to navigate and perform basics functions with Gmail and Google Contacts.
Chrome: Learn how to personalize Chrome with apps and extensions from Google’s Web Store.
Drive: Learn how Google Drive can be used to upload, organize, and share files in the cloud.
Docs: Learn how to create, edit, and share word processing documents using Google Docs.
Sheets: Learn how to create and manage spreadsheet data using Google Sheets.
Slides: Learn how to create a presentation, format text and add graphics using Google Slides.
Calendar: Learn to keep track of upcoming events, commitments, and tasks using Google Calendar.
Forms: Learn to create and share interactive questionnaires, surveys, and quizzes using Google Forms.
Photos: Learn how to backup, store, and share photos with family and friends using Google Photos.
INDIVIDUAL CLASSES
eBay Basics: Learn how to buy merchandise on eBay and how to pay for purchases with PayPal.
Selling on eBay: Learn how to create an auction, employ selling strategies to maximize profit, navigate eBay's rules, and earn seller ratings that boost future business.
Cutting the Cable Cord: Learn about the basic features and functions of your smartphone’s camera and editing features. Android and iPhone welcome. Bring your device.
Smartphone Photography Basics: Learn about the basic features and functions of your smartphone’s camera and editing features. Android and iPhone welcome. Bring your device.
Facebook Basics: Learn how to create your profile, add friends, and share content.
Pinterest Basics: Learn how to create an account, find pins and boards, follow fellow pinners, and adjust basics security settings.
Library Entertainment Apps: Learn how to download free eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, movies, and music with GBPL’s entertainment apps. Must bring your device & library card.
Microsoft Office
Classes for those looking to gain or refresh their skills with Microsoft applications for work and home.
ACCESS SERIES
Series Description: Learn how to create a database, sort and filter via tables, create queries and make forms in this series.
1. Basics: Learn the basics of using and creating an Access database
2. Tables: Learn how to sort and filter data in an Access table, modify a table design, import data, and link tables together in a relationship.
3. Queries: Learn how to create queries to extract meaningful data from your database.
4. Forms & Reports: Learn how to use forms to make data entry easier and create printable reports and mailing labels from your database.
POWERPOINT
Basics: Learn how to use PowerPoint’s basic features to add & delete slides, change layouts, format text, select themes, and add graphics to a presentation.
Enhancing Your Presentations: Learn how to add shapes, pictures, animate objects, and add slide transitions to spruce up even the most basic presentations.
PUBLISHER
Basics: Learn how to navigate and work with basic Publisher templates to create quick projects like flyers, greeting cards, calendars, and more.
Enhancing Your Documents: Learn how to enhance your Publisher creations by using a series of images, text boxes and special effects.
EXCEL
Basics: Learn how Excel’s cells, worksheets & workbooks easily allow users to manipulate, calculate, and format numbers and other types of data.
Charts & Graphs: Learn how to add visual interest and tell stories by displaying numbers and data sets in chart or graph format.
Formulas & Functions: Learn to use formulas to automatically calculate and manipulate totals, percentages, averages, and ranges.
Working with Tables: Learn how to create tables and pivot tables, sort and filter data, work with large spreadsheets, and more.
Advanced Topics: Learn how to use conditional formatting, work with multiple sheets in an Excel workbook, calculate percentages, and use PMT & VLOOKUP functions.
WORD
Basics: Learn how to create text-based documents using Word, as well as how to complete simple actions like saving, opening, and printing documents.
Formatting Documents: Learn how to format text, apply bullets, and adjust spacing.
Editing Tools: Learn how to use cut & paste, spell check, and add comments to documents.
Tables, Images & Graphics: Learn how to use tables, borders, backgrounds, and WordArt.