Posted by eileen on November 30, 2011
Computer Class registration begins tomorrow (December 1) at 9am. Classes will not be offered in January, so make sure you sign up for December classes!
To register, go to our online Event Calendar and click on the class(es) you want. Register for each class separately. For full class descriptions and requirements, visit our Computer Classes page.
Intro. to Microsoft PowerPoint – Monday, Dec. 5 at 7pm
Intro. to Microsoft Excel – Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7pm
Microsoft Word I – Monday, Dec. 12 at 7pm
Microsoft Word II – Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7pm
Tech Question Drop-in – Thursday, Dec. 15 at 11am
No registration required for Tech Question Drop-in.
Posted by eileen on June 30, 2011
After reading Investopedia’s, “13 Things You Pay for that Your Library has for Free,” I decided to adapt this to exactly what our library offers. So, thank you to Investopedia for giving me a great base for this post.
1. Read for Free
As you already know, WPL has thousands of books to be checked out: fiction, nonfiction, children’s lit., etc. We also have downloadable ebooks through eMediaLibrary. If you’re interested in finding out more about using eMediaLibrary, come to Ebook Q & A on Tuesday, July 12 at 7pm. You can even earn a prize (and be entered in drawings) this summer. Just join our Summer Reading Program and get a coupon for a free bowl at Noodles & Company. Read nine books to be entered in the Grand Prize drawing for an ebook reader! Stop by the Reference Desk to sign up.
2. Magazines and Newspapers for Free
WPL has all local papers and many many magazines to be read in the library or checked out. Have a specific magazine or newspaper in mind? Do a Magazine Search in the catalog and see what we have!
3. Listen for Free
We have pretty much every kind of music you can think of on CD. Plus, there is also a pretty awesome audiobook collection. You can check out audiobooks on CD, MP3, Playaway, or even download them straight to your phone or iPod from eMediaLibrary. Not sure what a playaway is? Take a look at Pierce County Library’s description.
4. Free Periodicals Searches
This is great for students. Need scholarly articles for your research papers? The library offers many subscription databases. WPL cardholders can use our databases from anywhere, but anyone can come use them on one of the library’s computers. Take a look at Magazines A-Z to get an idea of how many journals you can actually search (it’s A LOT).
5. Multiple Ways to Ask a Librarian
We have Reference Librarians just waiting for your questions! Can’t find an address you need? Need help getting started with genealogy research? Just looking for something good to read or watch? Ask Us! You can call: 630-868-7520, send a text message: 630-384-9751, email: askref@wheatonlibrary.org, or even IM a librarian.
6. Internet and WiFi
Stop in with your laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc. and take advantage of our free wireless access. Don’t have one of those things? Use a library computer. There are computers on the first floor with access to all our databases, as well as many useful sites that have no time limit. Need full Internet access for email, Google, etc.? Go to the second floor. If you don’t have a WPL card and are over 18, you can have a guest pass to use for 30 minutes. Have a WPL card? You get two hours of access per day.
7. Rent a Movie for 50 cents
The library has a pretty extensive DVD collection, including TV Series, Feature Films, and How-To DVDs, among other things. Check out Coming Soon on DVD to place a hold on a movie the library is about to get. Non-fiction and Children’s DVDs are free to check out!
8. Learn a Foreign Language for Free
Our Foreign Languages page links to Mango Languages, a database that teaches practical conversation and cultural awareness for the world’s most popular languages. You can also check out CDs, DVDs, and books to help with your language skills.
9. Job Preparation for Free
“Learning Express enables you to study for hundreds of tests including civil service, military entrance exams and preparation tests for SAT/ACT, MSAT, LSAT and dozens of others. You will find practice tests at all levels. You can practice, save your test, see your results and try again all for free.” - Investopedia
10. Find Your Family History for Free
Learn more about our Genealogy Collection from some of my previous posts or go straight to our Genealogy and Local History page. Every Thursday evening from 7-9pm, Genealogical Society volunteers are available in the library to help with your search.
11. Free Resources for Parents
Having trouble with potty training? Looking for free things to do with your kids? Helping them with homework? Let WPL help you!
12. Car Repair and Buying Help
Did you know the library offers free access to Auto Repair Reference Center? This wonderful database provides repair procedures, service bulletins and recalls, wiring diagrams, and more for pretty much any car you can think of (since 1954). WPL recently started subscribing to Consumer Reports – Cars online. You no longer have to wait for the print edition each year, just check it out online for constant updates.
13. Other Services
The library offers tax forms during tax season, voter registration on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm, bus schedules, Rules of the Road, test proctoring, free introductory Microsoft Office classes. WPL is much more than just a place to read! Although, it’s still a great place to read too. 
Posted by eileen on July 1, 2010
WPL offers a variety of free introductory computer classes each month. Looking for jobs that require a basic understanding of Microsoft Office? Let us help you! Sign up for a free class today! In July the classes are held in the evenings. To register, go to our online Event Calendar or call the Checkout Desk at 630-868-7505.
Note: All WPL classes are taught using Microsoft Office 2007.
Internet Searching and Introduction to Online Databases
Do you have problems finding what you’re looking for on the Internet? Do you always get millions of results on Google and Yahoo!? In this class, learn about making your searches more specific, to get more relevant results, as well as searching some of the library’s subscription databases to find pertinent information.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing and basic computer skills, especially using a keyboard and mouse, and experience using Internet Explorer are required.
Microsoft Word I
Microsoft Word is not just for writing reports anymore! Learn how to cut, copy, paste, format a Word document, and much much more! This class is perfect for those who are new to word processing. It is also recommended for those who are interested in learning the new layout of the 2007 version.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing and basic keyboarding skills are required.
Microsoft Word II
Turn a boring letter into a work of art! Learn to add pictures, WordArt, columns, and even create your own bullet points. This class is recommended for those who would like to have more than a basic understanding of Microsoft Word. It is also helpful to those who are interested in learning the new features of the 2007 version.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Basic word processing skills, such as highlighting, and an understanding of the concepts taught in Word I are required.
Mail Merge
We are surrounded by the products of mail merges every day without even realizing it! Almost every mass mailing is created by a mail merge. However, it can also be used on a less massive scale. Learn to turn a list of names and addresses into a sheet of mailing labels, thank you letters, and many other things! This class is great for those who want to learn this time-saving skill, as well as those who would like a review.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing, basic keyboarding skills and experience using Microsoft Word are required. Knowledge of Microsoft Excel is helpful.
Microsoft Excel
Don’t waste time figuring out things by hand! Learn the basics of this incredibly versatile spreadsheet program, such as entering data into cells, formatting, and creating charts. We will also cover basic functions (like finding the sum of a column of numbers) and sorting (like putting a list in alphabetical order).
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing and basic keyboarding skills are required.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Need to create a wedding or family slide show? A speech or presentation for school or church? PowerPoint can help and we can help you learn PowerPoint! Learn how to use different slide layouts, transitions, animations, links, and photos in this amazing program.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing and basic keyboarding skills are required.
Posted by eileen on January 26, 2010
Join us this Wednesday evening for two great classes.
6:30-7:30pm Introduction to Craigslist – Learn how to stay safe, buy, sell, and find a job on this popular website.
7:45-9pm Introduction to Facebook – Learn the basics of Facebook, how it started, and how to use its privacy features.
To register for either or both of the classes, please call 630-868-7510.
Posted by eileen on December 9, 2009
Tired of hand-writing your envelopes? Sick of typing twelve different end-of-year letters for various friends and family? Using a mail merge can help with these problems! All you need is Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and a printer. Simply type your names and addresses into an Excel sheet and then quickly pull them into Word to create envelopes, labels, letters, or any other type of document! See the library’s handouts for step-by-step instructions:
Mail Merges in Office 2007
Mail Merges in Office 2003 and older versions
Need more help? Microsoft Office Online offers free tutorials!
Mail Merge I: Use Mail Merge for Mass Mailings
Mail Merge II: Use the Ribbon and Perform a Complex Mail Merge
The library also offers a free Mail Merge class each month (except December). Check the Computer Classes page for the current class schedule.
Posted by eileen on September 1, 2009
Register for one of our free September Computer Classes!
Internet Searching and Intro. to Online Databases – Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 10am-Noon
Intro. to Microsoft Excel – Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 10am-Noon
Intro. to Microsoft PowerPoint – Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 10am-Noon
Microsoft Word I – Thursday, Sept. 10 from 10am-Noon
Microsoft Word II – Friday, Sept. 11 from 10am-Noon
Mail Merge – Friday, Sept. 18 from 10am-11:30am
Registration is required for all classes and you must register for each class individually. Please see the Computer Classes page for Requirements and Class Descriptions. Register online through WPL’s Event Calendar!
Posted by eileen on July 8, 2009
There are many free opportunities to expand your computer knowledge. Some you can do right from the comfort of your home computer! If you don’t have a computer or don’t have a reliable Internet connection, come and use one of WPL’s computers instead.
Many companies offer free online tutorials. For example, HP’s Learning Center has free online classes in Photoshop, Word, Excel, and much more! There are also many free tutorials available from Microsoft Office Online.
Check out WPL’s Computer Classes page for more links and information about upcoming free classes at WPL. If you have basic computer questions, come to our New Computer User Drop-in time on the third Thursday of each month from 11am-12:30pm in the 2nd Floor Classroom.
Posted by eileen on May 14, 2009
The June Computer Classes are now listed on the library’s Event Calendar.
Introduction to eBay, Selling on eBay, and Introduction to Online Social Networking will be offered, as well as the usual classes.
http://66.99.47.8/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp?EventType=computer+class
Posted by eileen on April 29, 2009
I’m trying something new in May. Since the library is no longer offering a Computer Basics class, I am going to offer a New Computer User Drop-in time. It will be held from 11am-12:30pm on the third Thursday of each month, in the 2nd Floor Computer Classroom. This is a great opportunity for those new to computers to come in and practice. Mouse tutorials and other lessons will be available. Also, there will be at least one librarian available to answer questions. If you know anyone who could benefit from this, please pass this info on!
This is called a “drop-in” because I want people to be able to just show up. However, there is limited space in the classroom. To guarantee a spot at a computer, please register through the online event calendar beginning May 1 at 9am.
Posted by eileen on January 22, 2009
February Computer Classes have been scheduled!
Computer Basics – Mon. 2/9 from 7-8pm
Internet – Tues., 2/10 from 7-9pm
Email – Wed., 2/11 from 7-9pm
PowerPoint – Mon., 2/16 from 7-9pm
Word I – Tues., 2/17 from 7-9pm
Word II – Wed., 2/18 from 7-9pm
Excel – Mon., 2/23 from 2-4pm OR 7-9pm
Mail Merge – Tues., 2/24 from 7-9pm
Register for each class individually. Registration for Feb. classes begins Mon., Feb. 2 at 9am. Please call 630-868-7505 to register. Or register online at http://www.wheatonlibrary.org/compclass.html.
