Free computer classes are offered in English and Spanish at Burton Barr Central Library, in the Computer Training Room (located in the northwest corner of the 1^st floor).  Seating is limited--free tickets are available 30 minutes before class, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please take a seat in one of the chairs along the west wall of the 1^st floor (outside the Training Room) to wait for a ticket.  Ages 16 and up.

Note:  the first class (100 - Getting to Know a Computer) is held in the 4^th floor Lecture Room--no ticket is required.

English Computer Classes at Burton Barr Central Library

The classes offered at Burton Barr Central Library are divided into 4 different skill levels:

100-level:  Basic Skills - Learn the parts of a computer, and learn how to use a mouse and keyboard.

• 100 - Getting to Know a Computer - No computer experience necessary. Learn how our computer class program works. Check out the basic parts of a computer and learn some computer lingo.

• 101 - Mousing Skills - No computer experience or typing skills necessary. Learn how to input data into the computer using the mouse. All other classes will require mousing skills.

• 102 - Keyboard Skills - Mousing skills or completion of 101 required. Learn how to input data into the computer using the keyboard. Set up a free Typing Master account, and begin your first Typing Master lesson. 

200-level:  Beginner - Learn how to use a browser to surf the Web, and how to do basic word processing using Microsoft Word. These courses require 100-level Basic Skills.

• 201 - Introduction to the Internet - Mousing and keyboard skills or completion of 101 and 102 required. Learn what the Internet and World Wide Web are in plain English and how to use a browser to explore the World Wide Web.

• 202 - Introduction to Word Processing- Mousing and keyboard skills or completion of 101 and 102 required. Learn the basic functions of Microsoft Word, including how to open, save and print a document.

300-level:  Intermediate - Learn how to search the Web using Google, use e-mail, develop your word processing skills, and learn how to search our Web site for books, music and more. These courses require 200-level Beginner skills.

• 301 -  Searching the World Wide Web- Web browsing skills or completion of 201 required. Learn how to use a search engine like Google to find the information you want on the World Wide Web. 

• 302 - Intermediate Word Processing - Basic word processing skills or completion of 202 required. Learn how to use the commands on the Microsoft Word menus and the icons on the toolbar. Learn how to highlight text, change the appearance of your document, and undo your mistakes.

• 303 - Introduction to www.phxlib.org - Web browsing skills or completion of 201 required. Learn how to use the Library's Web site to find books, music, videos and more. Learn how to access your account, place items on hold, pay fines online, and create lists of items you want to check out. Learn about some of our most popular databases and discover other electronic resources available from our Web site.

• 304 - Introduction to E-mail- Web browsing skills or completion of 201 required. Learn how to use Gmail (Google's free e-mail). Practice sending, opening and deleting e-mails.  Note: you do not need a Gmail account to take this class--we will provide you with access to an account for the purposes of the class.

400-level:  Advanced - Develop more advanced word processing and e-mail skills, and learn how to use some of the databases and other electronic resources available on our Web site. These courses require 300-level Intermediate skills.

• 402 - Advanced Word Processing- Completion of 302 required. Learn how to set up margins and tabs, how to create bulleted lists, and how to check for spelling and grammar mistakes.

• 403 - Digital Media- Completion of 303 required. Learn how to access the Greater Phoenix Digital Library from our Web site. Learn how to sign in to your Digital Account, find downloadable media, and check electronic items out. Learn how to download items to your home computer, and how to transfer audio items to your MP3 player.

• 404 - Advanced E-mail- Completion of 304 required. Learn how to label e-mails, create contact lists, chat with friends, and set up filters in a Gmail account.  Note: you do not need a Gmail account to take this class--we will provide you with access to an account for the purposes of the class.