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Home | Learning | Libraries | Computers, the Internet and IT training

Computers, the Internet and IT training

Last updated: 23 August 2010 13:07 UK

Whilst Central Library is closed, if you have any questions about the services advertised on this page, please call Pat Garrett on 023 9284 1506

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 is available at Central Library. 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 Internet training

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

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

Designed for people with some computer experience, 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 8039, email libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or pop into Central Library.

Computer classes

Do you want to get online but can't use a computer? Central Library is now a UK Online Centre and we are offering free courses to help you get started and improve your confidence. Working through Myguide courses on the Internet, you can take your first steps with computers and the Internet and learn at your own pace with support from friendly staff.

It's so important to be able to use the Internet; you can save money, keep in touch with family and friends, find a job, swap your council house and make your life a lot easier.

We meet every Thursday from 9.30am to 11.30am. If you are interested in having a go, please call Gail Brown on 023 9268 8525 or Pat Garrett on 023 9268 8039.

Computer tasters

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 using Microsoft Word, enhancing digital photographs and learning how to use Photostory.

New course dates will be released in September 2010.

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.