The Library is committed to helping patrons become more computer literate.
Each month, the Library staff teach a number of basic
classes for beginners with little to no experience and offers one-on-one
instruction as needed. Check the Library calendar for upcoming computer classes and programs or subscribe to the RSS feed. 
Denotes link to online calendar and options to view, save, share, and register for programs
Web resource 
Available with Skokie Public Library card 
Available in Library only
Tuesday Tech Talks
Download our Tuesday Tech Talks flyer
Note: Requires Adobe Reader.
This new series of talks is dedicated to exploring current and emerging technologies. Usually taking place on the first or second Tuesday evening of every month, librarians and guest speakers will speak about a technology topic in their area of expertise. Attendees are welcome to share their knowledge and participate in these informal discussions. Tech Talks are free and open to the public.
The Technology Behind I-GO Car Sharing
Richard Kosmacher from I-GO Car Sharing will be explaining what Car Sharing is all about and the technology that makes it tick. In his 5 1/2 short years at I-GO Richard has seen the compnay grow from 3 employees, 10 cars, and 300 members to 200 cars, 20 employees, and over 14,000 members in 30 Chicago neighborhoods and several suburbs, including I-GO's recent expansion to Skokie. Technology has been the backbone behind this rapid growth and even greater advances in Car Sharing technology will continue to fuel the growth of Car Sharing in Chicagoland and in metropolitan areas throughout the United States and the rest of the world.
Tuesday, December 8 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register
Parents' Guide to Facebook and Social Networking
Join author Susan Fine for a presentation designed to help parents understand Facebook, MySpace, and other social networking websites. Fine is the author of "Initiation," a YA novel in which various types of cyber-trouble surface, primarily cyber bullying, which takes place on a social networking site. The presentation will include a reading from the novel as well as an overview of the types of problems that surface with adolescents and digital tools as well as some specific ways that parents and schools are addressing these issues.
Tuesday, January 12 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register
Joe Born on Internet TV
Join Joe Born, founder of Neuros Technology, for a discussion on Internet video and the many options you have for connecting your TV to the Internet. Joe will talk about the websites and programs that are bringing video to the internet, why you would want to connect the Internet to your TV, and a great variety of ways to do that, from how to connect your laptop to your TV to various stand alone devices that connect your TV to online services, as well as a peak into the future of where the connected television is going.
Tuesday, February 9 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register
Computer Classes at Skokie Public Library
Download our Computer Classes brochure
Note: Requires Adobe Reader.
Computer novices or advanced computer users can learn to take full advantage of the Library's technological resources by attending some of the Library's computer classes.
Twitter for Beginners
This class will teach participants the basics of the social networking website Twitter. The instructor will demonstrate how to set up an account, find people to follow, and integrate Twitter into your daily routine at work, at home, or on your mobile device.
This class is lecture-style.
Monday, November 9 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Be an Online Detective
You might be surprised at what information you can find about yourself or other people on the Internet. The class will show participants which websites are best for tracking people down and where you can find public record information (including foreclosures, new home buyers, and new businesses) on the Internet. The instructor will also give tips on how you can protect your private data online.
This class is lecture-style.
Thursday, November 19 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Mobile Phone Basics
Whether you’ve got the most basic model or the latest iPhone, your mobile phone can do much more than make calls. In this presentation, we’ll show you how you can use your mobile phone for text messaging, browsing the Web, and much more. The presentation also features an in-depth look at the Library’s brand-new services designed specifically for mobile devices.
This class is hands-on and lecture-style.
Tuesday, November 24 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Introduction to Computers and the Internet
This computer class is for beginners who would like to improve their basic computer skills. The instructors will start with how to turn on a computer and use a mouse, and end with how to go to a specific website using a web browser.
This class is hands-on and lecture-style.
Thursday, December 3 from 10:00am to 12:00pm in the Youth Services Computer Lab
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Introduction to the Digital Media Lab
This presentation will introduce participants to the tools and services offered in the Library's new Digital Media Lab. The presentation will begin with an introduction to the basics of the Mac Operating System (Mac OS X Snow Leopard) and the iLife 09 suite (iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band). Near the end of the class, interested participants may receive a tour of the Digital Media Lab and experiment with its equipment and software.
This class is lecture-style.
Wednesday, December 16 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Using Craigslist to Buy, Sell, Rent and More
This class will teach participants how to use Craigslist.org, a popular website where anyone can view or post classified ads for free. Participants will learn the basics of creating an account, finding items, buying items, and listing items on Craigslist.
This class is lecture-style.
Monday, December 28 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Google: The Basics and Beyond
This class will demonstrate Google’s many special features. such as advanced Web searching, maps, images, video, and news. You’ll also learn about Google’s competitors for those times when using Google is not the best option.
This class is lecture-style.
Thursday, January 7 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Be an Informed Patient: An Introduction to Health and Medical Resources Online
This presentation will introduce attendees to various free websites and library databases that have reliable medical and health information. The instructor will also discuss ways to find information about doctors and hospitals. Medical advice will not be provided.
This class is lecture-style.
Thursday, January 14 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Simple Steps to Creating Your Own Website
Participants in this hands-on class will learn how to design a free, easily manageable website and get it online fast! The instructor will demonstrate Webs.com, which provides powerful and easy to learn tools for building custom websites perfect for small businesses.
This class is hands-on and lecture-style.
Tuesday, January 26 from 10:00am to 12:00pm in the Youth Services Computer Lab
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Introduction to Computers and the Internet
This computer class is for beginners who would like to improve their basic computer skills. The instructors will start with how to turn on a computer and use a mouse, and end with how to go to a specific website using a web browser.
This class is hands-on and lecture-style.
Thursday, February 11 from 10:00am to 12:00pm in the Youth Services Computer Lab
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register
LinkedIn: Online Social Networking for Professionals
This presentation will teach participants how to use LinkedIn.com, an online social networking website that allows professionals to connect with colleagues and improve the power of their professional network.
When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional expertise and accomplishments. You can then form enduring connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you. Your network consists of your connections, your connections’ connections, and the people they know, linking you to a vast number of qualified professionals and experts.
This class is lecture-style.
Tuesday, February 16 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Web Browser Showdown
This presentation will give participants an understanding of the major web browsers available today, including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome, and Opera. Only the fastest, most useful web browsers will stand the test of the Browser Showdown!
This class is lecture-style.
Monday, February 22 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
You Can't Google This!
Join Bruce Brigell as he demonstrates how you can learn to find information that "you can't google!" This might include learning a language online, getting a diagram to help you repair your car, finding a recipe that was in the Chicago Tribune years ago, reading today’s newspaper headlines from papers from around the country or the world, taking practice exams, uncovering copies of original documents to fill in your family tree, getting lists of foreclosed properties, obtaining a sample business plan, and even more!
This class is lecture-style.
Thursday, February 25 from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Sign up online or call 847.324.3179 to register.
Past Slide Presentations and Handouts
Materials from Technology Presentations at Skokie Public Library
Did you miss a computer class or a Tuesday Tech Talk? We’ve got you covered! Check this page for handouts and other information from selected past technology programs at Skokie Public Library.
Self-Guided Computer Instruction
Software tutorials at Skokie Public Library
Software program tutorials are available at the Library to help you learn to use Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel or to help you practice basic computer skills such as typing. For the home user, Skokie Public Library offers computer instruction books and CD-ROMs for check out and online access to two e-learning websites, LearningExpressLibrary.com and Atomic Learning.
Call 847.324.3179 to schedule use of an appropriate computer.
Skokie Public Library's Guides to Databases
Skokie Public Library subscribes to a number of databases that can help you find a wealth of information about companies, locate a specific newspaper or journal article, research health information, and much, much more. Online tutorials have been prepared for many of these databases.
Internet
& Computers from Skokie Public Library
The World Wide Web can be an overwhelming place without someone to help you work your way through it. With that in mind, the librarians of Skokie Public Library have gathered several helpful online resources to assist you in navigating the Web.