Master Technology

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

  • Image shows a sideways white "F" encased in a black and navy square. Text beside the logo symbol read "fiero code" in all lowercase characters in a heavy black font.

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Treehouse

    Based on user feedback and an interest in trying something new, we have decided to cancel our Treehouse subscription. You can continue to access your Treehouse account through BCPL until April 12th. In the meantime, we are pleased to introduce Fiero Code, a user-friendly, gamified experience designed to introduce youth ages 8–18 to coding. (But adults can definitely enjoy too!)

  • Universal Class

    Learn skills for business and life! Universal Class offers more than 500 lifelong-learning courses covering everything from wellness and personal growth to homeschooling, parenting, hobbies, and finance. Many courses even offer continuing education units (CEUs).

Selected Web Resources

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • MIT OpenCourseWare

    Access materials from over 2,000 courses from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including courses in Technology, Science, Economics, Mathematics, and Law.

  • 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.