As you may know, the Nashua Public Library offers free computer classes. They are generally held Monday through Thursday at either 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. We occasionally offer classes on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. or on Fridays.

The computer classes have been very popular the last couple of months, filling up extremely quickly and leading to long waiting lists. We're glad that so many people want to take advantage of this service. Recently, however, quite a few of our registered students have not attended classes. We realize that unforeseen events occur which may delay or prevent people from making it to class. Without advanced notice, we cannot offer spaces to people on the waiting list. If you know you won't be able to make it to class, please give us a call at 589-4611 so we can contact people on the waiting list. Even a call at the last minute is helpful so we know not to wait for you to start the class.

If you're reading this, you're lucky enough to know how to use a computer and have access to a computer with Internet service. Whether you're at work, at home, or using one of the library's computers, you're able to successfully get onto and navigate the Internet. You don't need to learn how to use a mouse or what a scroll bar is. You know how to click on links. Not everyone has this luxury.

Here at the Nashua Public Library, we're doing our best to provide computer access and education to those who need it. Many people come here to use the computers for business research, job hunting, schoolwork, banking, communicating, and fun. Often, people need assistance. Sometimes, we troubleshoot; other times, we explain to people what email is.

We see every day that a need for computer education, from basic to advanced, remains. Some of our classes fill up within hours of publicizing the schedule. Our offerings range Computer Basics, which teaches students about the different parts of the computer and how to use a mouse, to Access and Advanced Excel. We teach students from middle school to middle age and beyond. We are here for people who have never touched a computer and people who are brushing up on their skills as they reenter the job market.

If you are interested in learning more about our free classes, stop by the reference desk and pick up a brochure or view our computer classes web page. If you want to be one of the first to receive the schedule by email, sign up for the monthly newsletter. As I mentioned, some of the classes fill up quickly, so it's best to register right away. (Registration is required.) If you sign up for a class and realize you cannot attend, please call us in advance so we can offer the spot to someone on the waiting list. Back in April, we had a waiting list with 25--yes 25--people!

When you call to register, please keep in mind the following policies:

* Computer Basics is designed for people with little to no experience using a computer. Students who have already taken a class other than Word or Internet will not be able to register for Computer Basics. If you are already registered for a class other than Word or Internet and plan to register for Computer Basics at a later date, we respectfully request that you remove yourself from the more advanced classes.
* Classes may be repeated. If you plan to repeat a class, you must do so before taking a more advanced class.
* If you are registered or on the waiting list for a class that is a prerequisite for a more advanced class and do not attend the prerequisite, we will remove you from the advanced class.
* You can take one session of each class per month.

We instituted these policies due to the high demand for our classes and to ensure that students are taking the appropriate classes for their skill levels. If you can get through Access, for example, you will certainly be bored in Computer Basics. Likewise, if you are using a computer for the first time, you need to be comfortable entering text, using the mouse and menus, and copying and pasting text, among other things, before taking Advanced Word.

If you have any questions about the classes or would like to register, please call the reference desk at 603-589-4611.

Our computer training lab is getting a makeover. Beginning in August, we will have new computers featuring Windows 7 and Office 2010. When Microsoft debuted Office 2007, many people found themselves lost and confused. The interface is quite different from the Office 2002 interface that we are using now. The most noticeable change is the ribbon, which replaced the familiar menu bar and tool bars that Microsoft had been using for years. I've heard a lot of people complain that they don't know where anything is in Office 2007. The version that we will be using, Office 2010, is similar to Office 2007. There are some differences, but if you learn one version, you will be able to use the other.

Because many people who take our advanced classes have learned the programs using Office 2002, we will require prerequisites for all of our classes. A new class will go over some of the differences between Office 2002 and 2010. If you are an experienced computer user, you can take this new class to satisfy the prerequisites. If you have been using Office 2007, you will not have to take this class.

Due to this transition, we will not be offering classes in July. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Look for the August computer schedule in mid-July. To receive the schedule via email, sign up for the Computer Classes Newsletter here.

Nashua Public Library's computer classes return on August 16. We're excited to feature new computers with the Windows 7 Operating System and Microsoft Office 2010. Because Office 2010 is quite different from Office 2002, we have instituted new prerequisites for our classes. If you are registering for Excel, PowerPoint, Advanced Word, Advanced Excel, or Access, you must satisfy one of the following:

o Word 2010 (and Excel 2010 for Advanced Excel and Access)
o Word (and/or Excel or PowerPoint, depending on class) 2002 and Transitioning to Office 2010/Windows 7*
o Experience using Word (and/or Excel or PowerPoint, depending on class) 2007 or 2010

You can find the August schedule on our website's computer classes page. If you are interested in taking a class, please call the Reference Desk at 603-589-4611 to register. Some of the classes are full, but we can put you on the waiting list. You can also sign up to receive the schedule each month.

*Transitioning to Office 2010/Windows 7 is a new class designed to explain some of the differences between the new and old systems. We cover the ribbon, which has replaced the menu and tool bars, file management, printing, and a few other topics. The first hour of the class will be a lesson, and the last half hour is reserved for questions and experimentation with the programs.