• You may sign up for EIGHT classes per month. PCs are guaranteed to the first 16 sign-ups who arrive on time.

• If the class is full… Come anyway! You can observe or get the PC of the person who did not show.

• You may be an observer many times.

• Master the skills in the level 1 classes, and build a stronger foundation before moving to the next level of a class. You may retake a class as needed!

• If you have registered for a class and cannot attend, please call the reference desk to cancel so that we can offer the computer to another person.

• All Office courses will be taught using Microsoft Office 2007.

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Computer Class Descriptions at Lawrence Branch Library: Route 1 & Darrah Lane, Lawrenceville

How to Register for Classes: 

You can register beginning on the 25th of each month. You have to register in person at the Lawrence Branch Library or at any of the branches. 

Or, you can go to www.mcl.org and register online. 

You may pick up a printed schedule at any of the Mercer County Library Branches. Or, you can find the schedule of classes on the Internet at www.mcl.org.

Registration for the computer classes begins at 9:30 am on the 25th of each month. If the library is closed on the 25th, registration begins the day after.

Choose a class or classes based on your need and ability. 

Educators: MCL Courses May Qualify for NJDOE Professional Development Credit

These courses are offered to the general public on a first come first served basis. Educators wishing to earn professional development credit for these courses should register in the normal manner and will attend classes with other members of the public. Upon attending the class or workshop, please approach the instructor to request that a certificate be issued at the end of the program. 

Mouse Basics: Learn to click, highlight text, scroll, cut & paste and click & drag. These skills are essential to all subsequent classes.

PC Basics: Get familiar with Microsoft Windows. Learn important computer terms, and get comfortable with computers use!

Internet 1: Discover what browsers like Internet Explorer do. Visit interesting websites and learn to use Search Engines to surf the web.

Practice: This is an unstructured, project-oriented class. Bring a project or let us suggest one. Practice what you learned in your classes – an instructor will be available to help you. You must register!

Library Catalog: Practice using the library catalog to look for books, audio books, music and movies from the library, home, or office. Place holds from home! Learn helpful search techniques. Please take Mouse Basics and Internet 1 first.   
 

E-Mail 1: Sign up for free e-mail service with Yahoo. Send your first message! 

E-Mail 2: Learn how to attach a resume or a picture file. Please take E-Mail 1 first.

Excel 1: Learn the basics of this spreadsheet program. See how easy it is to input and edit data. Make some simple calculations. Strong mouse skills are essential.

Excel 2: Do different calculations, freeze panes, insert comment boxes and practice formatting. Take Excel 1 first!

PC Essentials: Work with the Windows environment. Use the many features of the Start button. Rename, move and delete files and folders using Windows Vista. Take PC Basics and Word 1 first! 

Internet 2: Discover valuable search techniques and get tips on evaluating websites. Requires some Internet experience!

Word 1: Create a word document. Learn to format and edit, type, preview and print a simple document. Strong mouse skills are essential!

Word 2: Work with Tabs and the Office Ribbon. Explore the many extra features that can help you create a professional-looking document. Take Word 1 first!

Blogging: Have fun learning the basics of blogging. Connect with others and showcase your photos or writing.

Digital Audio & Overdrive: This is a beginner’s guide to Windows Media Player, iTunes and MCL’s newest service, OverDrive audio books. Includes tips on how to select and use an MP3 player. Feel free to bring your MP3 Player!

Digital Photography 1: Get started with digital photography from choosing a camera to photo editing basics such as cropping & re-sizing. Feel free to bring your digital camera!

Digital Photography 2: Learn more advanced editing techniques such as scratch removal and adding artistic effects. Feel free to bring your digital camera!

Dreamweaver 1: Design a website using this software. Learn beginner skills such as setting up a site, entering text and adding pictures. Strong Word skills required!

Dreamweaver 2: Learn advanced web techniques, including HTML editing and setting up lists and tables. Take Dreamweaver 1 first!

Excel 3: Create different charts to highlight your document’s most important information. Proficiency in Excel 1 & Excel 2 required!

Facebook: Have fun learning to use the various applications available on this social networking website.

Family History: Find and research your family tree using online research databases.

Legal Resources Online: This class will provide an overview of various types of legal materials available online.

ListenNj: Learn to use the Mercer County Library’s free downloadable audio book service. Download and transfer the audio books to CD, MP3 player or to your iPod.

NoveList: Do you belong to a book club or just like to read, but aren’t sure what to read next? Learn all about Mercer County Library’s reader advisory database, which helps you find new authors and titles that match your literary tastes.

PC Advanced: Learn to work with Windows Vista; clean and defragment your hard drive. Learn about virus protection, Cookies and safe shopping practices online.

PowerPoint 1: PowerPoint makes fabulous presentations.  Learn to add new slides, text and images. Strong Word skills required!

PowerPoint 2: Add pizzazz to your presentation with animations, music and much more. Strong Word skills required! Take PowerPoint 1 first!

Publisher: Newsletters, posters and brochures are a snap with Publisher. Work with text & images. Strong Word skills required!

Quickbooks Pro: Write checks, record deposits. Keep track of assets, income and expenses, vendors and customers. Investigate the features of this program used by businesses and individuals.

Resume Makeover: Bring your resume to class! Topics include formatting; writing a cover letter and various helpful tips that will make your resume look professional. Proficiency in MS Word needed!

Twitter: Learn to use this free social networking service that lets users send and read messages known as tweets.

Web 2.0: Learn about emerging technologies called social software. Discover how RSS, wikis and blogs are changing the way we share information.

Word 3: Work with tables and text boxes; explore WordArt and copy pictures from ClipArt or the Internet. Take Word 1 & Word 2 first!

Word 4: Create a letter head and a document template. Use mail merge to create labels and form letters. Proficiency in Word 1, Word 2 & Word 3 needed!

Computer Instruction at Other Branches

Handouts from the classes