Paris-Bourbon County Library: Computer Education Survey

If you are interested in computer classes at the library, please take a few minutes of your time to complete this survey. The results will help us decide what topics to offer and when to schedule them. We will be announcing a new season of computer classes in the fall of 2010. Watch the library's web site at www.bourbonlibrary.org, the local newspaper, and library bulletin boards for announcements in late August.

1. What is your current level of experience with using personal computers?

Newbie - starting from scratch
Basic - can do simple things, but have lots of questions
Intermediate - can do most things I want to, often have questions
Advanced - very familiar with computers, just want to learn something new

2. Why do you want to take computer classes at the library?

Personal use - email, online research and entertainment
Simple job skills - need to learn the basics
Advanced job skills - preparing to pursue technical certification

3. What is your age group?

12 or under
13-17
18-54
55+

4. Do you have a computer at home?

5. Do you have Internet access at home?

Yes - I have or plan to get broadband (high-speed, such as cable or DSL) Internet access
Yes - I have or plan to get dial-up (low speed) Internet access
NO, I do not have or plan to get any type of Internet access

6. What days/times would work for you to attend classes at the library?

(Please check all that apply.)

6. What days/times would work for you to attend classes at the library?	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
10am - noon
2:00pm - 4:00pm
6:00pm - 8:00pm

7. What time of year would you prefer to attend classes at the library?

(Please check all that apply.)

8. Please rate each of the following topics according to your level of interest:

8. Please rate each of the following topics according to your level of interest:	NO - not interested, would not attend	MAYBE - slightly interested, might attend	YES - very interested, would plan to attend
BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS: Introduction to terminology, parts of a computer, buying tips, Internet connection options
WINDOWS 1 - MOUSIN' AROUND: Introduction to the mouse – click, double-click, right-click, scroll – and all the keys on the keyboard. Plus the Windows desktop – start button, icons, program list, basic controls and customization.
WINDOWS 2 - MANAGING WINDOWS & FILES: Control and manipulate open windows. Learn how to manage your file storage so you can always find what you need, and learn to make backup copies.
INTERNET 1 - BROWSING THE WEB: Introduction to Microsoft Internet Explorer – how to go to a specific address, scroll, click on links, recognize advertising versus real content, save favorites, personalize your home page, control printing of web pages, manage multiple windows.
INTERNET 2 - SEARCHING THE WEB: How to find information when you don’t already know the address (URL) - efficient techniques for searching and finding.
INTERNET 3 - EMAIL BASICS: Learn to set up and use a free, web-based email account, how to copy and forward emails, how to send and receive attached files and photos, how to organize and manage your storage.
INTERNET 4 - DANGERS & DEFENSES: What you need to know, and what you must do regularly, to protect your computer from viruses, spyware and other bad stuff (malware). Free software resources. Privacy concerns and backup procedures also discussed.
INTERNET 5 - ONLINE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN: How to protect your children online; review of recommended practices and "filtering" software that lets you control what your child can do online.
DIGITAL CAMERA PRIMER: A little help getting started with using your new digital camera. Basic concepts of digital photography, how to transfer images from your camera to the computer and how to put them online as email attachments or in free, web-based albums.
GOOGLE 101 - SEARCH, DOCS & CALENDAR: Improve your Google search results with powerful tips and techniques; learn to create and share files with Google Docs; track and share your schedule with Google Calendar - all for free!
SOCIAL MEDIA STARTER - FACEBOOK & TWITTER: Everything you need to know to get started using these popular new online tools. Find your friends and keep in touch!
EBAY PRIMER: Basic introduction to buying and selling on eBay; how to create an account, use PayPal, understand seller rankings, and more.
MAKE YOUR OWN (FREE) BLOG OR WEB SITE: You really can have your own online platform to tell the world whatever you want to say! Learn about a few simple tools and put your business, personal opinions, etc., online tonite.
MICROSOFT WORD 1 - BASIC CONCEPTS: Introduction to word processing. Learn to create a simple text document, insert a photo or clip art, and control basic formatting, saving and printing.
MICROSOFT WORD 2 - FORMATTING & FEATURES: Learn more about formatting and how to revise an existing document. Explore indentation, paragraph spacing, columns, bullets and outlines.
MICROSOFT WORD 3 - TIPS & TECHNIQUES: How to use tables, and advanced features such as mail merge, automatic indexing and table of contents.
MICROSOFT EXCEL 1 - BASIC CONCEPTS OF A SPREADSHEET: Introduction to spreadsheets (basically, columns and rows of data, and the ability to perform calculations on the data). Learn to create a simple spreadsheet, make automatic totals, control basic formatting, saving and printing.
MICROSOFT EXCEL 2 - FORMATTING & FEATURES: Learn more about formatting and using stored formulas for calculations, make revisions, and manage multiple worksheets and workbooks.
LIBRARY'S ONLINE RESOURCES 1 - USING THE ONLINE CATALOG: The library's new automation software will be installed in August 2010. Take a quick refresher on how to get the most info from the online "card catalog" and find what you need on our shelves.
LIBRARY'S ONLINE RESOURCES 2 - RESOURCES FOR RESUMES, JOB SEARCHES, & INTERVIEWS: Take advantage of the industry-premier online resources offered to you by the library - resume preparation, educational and vocational test study/preparation, and much more.
LIBRARY'S ONLINE RESOURCES 3 - MUSIC, LANGUAGES, eAUDIOBOOKS: The library's offerings are expanded by many thousands of items online, from the world's great music to language tutorials and downloadable audio books. Get the scoop!
OPEN Q&A and/or COMPUTER CLUB: Any interest in a regular meeting - monthly? - to meet with others and discuss computers and technology-related topics?
COMPUTER TUTOR: Would you like to work with a personal tutor at the library, or volunteer your own services as a tutor? (You would be matched up with someone else as either a tutor or student, according to your respective skill levels.)

9. What other class topics - computer-related or otherwise - would you like to see offered by the library?

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10. Any other comments about computer classes at the library?