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Computers, the Internet and IT training

Portsmouth City Council provides free access for members of the library to the Internet, word processing and other computer facilities in all of its nine public libraries across the city. Computers can be booked up to 7 days in advance and for session lengths ranging from 15 minutes to 1 hour. A generous allowance of 4 hours internet access a day across the city has been allocated to everyone. Call your nearest branch for more details or to reserve a computer.

What's available?

• Internet access and e-mail: Search the Web and communicate with friends and family
• Microsoft Office 2000: Word, Powerpoint, Access, Publisher and Excel
• Scanners: use our scanners to convert documents and photographs into digital format
• Multilingual support: The public computers provide support for users in a wide selection of languages
• Blind and visually impaired support: Screen reading and/or screen magnification software (Zoomtext and Jaws) is available in most of the libraries in Portsmouth to assist blind and visually impaired users to user the computer facilities
• Dreamweaver: Web design software (Central Library only)
• Photoshop: image editing software (Central Library only)

Wifi

Wireless Internet access will be available at Central Library from Thursday 4th March. Access is free and unlimited to Portsmouth library members. Please note that it is not permitted to plug laptops or other devices into library power points, so please make sure your battery is fully charged.

One-to-One computer training

Portmouth Library Service offers free One-to-One tasters in:

• Beginner's guide to the Internet
• Beginner's guide to email

These simple and informal tasters last approximately 2 hours and are tailored to your interests and requirements.

For further details, or to book a session, call Pat Garrett on (023) 9268 8054, email libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or pop into Central Library.

Computer classes

Highbury College run free IT tasters at Central Library on Wednesday afternoons.

These 3 hour courses offer a chance for complete beginners to learn how to use a computer, a keyboard or even buy their own PC. Students can then progress onto more advanced skills such as shopping online, enhancing digital photographs and researching the history of Portsmouth online.

For a complete list of all the courses available, please download the guide under 'Associated documents'.

Places are strictly limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. For further information, or to reserve a place, either ask at your local library, call 023 9268 8057 or email libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Computer training for the visually impaired

If you are visually impaired and want to learn how to use computers, we can help. We run 2 drop-ins a week and can offer support, training and advice. The first is every Thursday at Carnegie Library from 10am to 12 noon. The second is every Friday at Central Library from 2pm to 4pm.  

For further information, please contact Community Library Services at 023 9275 1737.

Learndirect

Portsmouth Central Library has joined forces with Learndirect to deliver your choice of over 500 courses.

At Learndirect we want to help you achieve your goals, whatever they are. So, if you want to brush up your IT skills, help your children with their homework, or work towards a qualification, we can help you with a wide range of courses.

With Learndirect courses you learn at a time and pace to suit you, using a computer and the Internet. There are hundreds of courses to choose from including:

• Introductory IT courses for complete beginners
• Essential skills to improve your reading and writing
• Essential business and management courses covering subjects such as customer care and finance

Learndirect come to Central library every Tuesday from 9.30am to 1pm. For further information, or to book a place, please call (023) 9229 8288.

Associated documents:

  Computer course list  (0.03 MB)