Digital skills have become more and more pertinent to modern-day living. Don't feel like you're being left behind! BCPL has many free online courses and in-person classes to help you master any technological skills you need.
One-on-One Assistance
Our friendly and knowledgeable reference librarians offer free one-on-one computer skills classes during scheduled reference hours at each branch location. Subjects include computer basics, Web navigation and e-mail, social networking sites, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, and the basics of Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint. We also provide training on our library databases and online catalog and an overview of resources on our library website.
To schedule an appointment, e-mail [email protected] or call the Reference Desk at 502-543-7675 ext. 4.
Online Resources through BCPL
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Fiero Code
Learn computer programming skills through a series of quick tutorials and gamified projects! Choose from a variety of “workouts” and “missions” as you learn to build websites, video games, phone apps, animations, and more. The Fiero Code software provides an accessible, easy-to-navigate coding journey geared toward youth ages 8–18, but adults can enjoy Fiero Code, too.
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LearningExpress Library: Computer Skills Center
Enjoy video courses on topics ranging from computer maintenance and internet safety to popular software programs like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Photoshop.
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LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a premier online learning resource featuring tutorials from recognized experts in their fields covering technical skills, creative techniques, business strategies, career development, and more. Learning is self-paced and courses and tutorials are broken up into short videos, so it’s easy to squeeze in just a few minutes of learning a day if that’s all the time you have. Please note: The Library ID is bcplibky if you need it to sign in to your existing account.
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Universal Class
Learn skills for business and life! Perfect for both serious students and casual learners, Universal Class offers more than 600 lifelong-learning courses covering everything from wellness and personal growth to homeschooling, parenting, hobbies, technology, and finance. Real, human instructors grade assignments and provide feedback, and many courses even offer continuing education units (CEUs).
Selected Web Resources
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Code Academy
Uses simple exercises to build programming and Web development skills. Courses include Make a Website, Make an Interactive Website, and languge courses in HTML & CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and more.
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edX
edX offers over 650 courses in computer science, the humanities, and math, with over 1,700 faculty and staff from the likes of Harvard, MIT, Berkley, Caltech, and the Sorbonne teaching and discussing topics online. Began as collaboration between Harvard and MIT to bring some of their signature courses to anyone with a computer.
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Khan Academy
Khan Academy – Over 3,200 videos that cover topics ranging from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history. Also includes a number of computing tracks, including Hour of Code programs. Learn what you want, when you want, at your own pace.
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MIT OpenCourseWare
Access materials from over 2,000 courses from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including courses in Technology, Science, Economics, Mathematics, and Law.
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Stanford Engineering Everywhere
Stanford Engineering Everywhere (S.E.E.) offers some of Stanford’s most popular engineering courses including iPhone App Development to Artificial Intelligence: Intro to Robotics.