Our Services

Our Library Services


Saratoga Springs Public Library offers public access to IBM compatible computers, most of which have access to the World Wide Web. The software available on these computers includes Microsoft Word, Access, Publisher, Powerpoint, Excel, educational software, and magazine databases. These computers are located in 5 main areas: Reference Area, Public Internet Access computers, Computer Education Center, and the Children's Room. Each of these areas has its own equipment, software, and requirements for access. In addition, public access terminals are located throughout the library for accessing the catalog.

The library also offers wireless internet access.

About Our Summer 2008 Computer Classes

Classes Already Filled

Spring 2008 classes that are currently filled (as of 4/01/08) include:

  • Digital Cameras 1 in May
  • Digital Cameras 2 in May
  • Housekeeping on PCs in May
  • Intro to Computers in May
  • Intro to Adobe Photoshop Elements Layers 1 & 2 in May

You may ask to be placed on a waiting list.

Eligibility, Location, and Cost

Adults ages 18 and up are welcome. Classes are held in the Computer Lab on the second floor. All of our courses are offered at no cost to the public. Students with disabilities may register for any computer course if a volunteer assistant is available. Ask instructor, Kathy Handy, for details.

Registration

You must be a resident of the Saratoga Springs School District to register during our in-person registration period, after which anyone, regardless of residency, may register either in person or by phoning the library at 584-7860 for any remaining openings.

Date and Place of Registration:

In-person registration for residents of the Saratoga Springs School District ages 18 and up for any of the Summer 2008 classes will be conducted from 7:30-9am Saturday, June 7th, 2008 in the Community Room of the Library. Please use the Putnam Street entrance. Registration will begin at 7:30am although the library is open for regular business only at 9:00am. Proof of residency is required in the form of a Library card, driver's license, picture I.D, school I.D., notarized affidavit, tax bill, property deed, lease agreement, utility bill, car registration, or report card. Phone registration begins after 9am Saturday, June 7th, 2008 for anyone regardless of residency for any remaining openings. Phone registrations are only accepted after 9am by calling instructor, Kathy Handy, at 518-584-7860 ext. 257. Classes are held in the Library Computer Lab on IBM compatible computers using Windows XP. First come, first served.

You may sign up for one or more courses provided they are not the same course title. Registration is limited to five courses per student. You may only register members of your immediate family. If the course you want is full, there may be another class of the same title offered during the same registration period. Have a second choice in mind at the time of registration. Also, we will put people on a waiting list, but only for the current registration period.

The Classes:

Download Spring 2008 Classes: Description and Schedule

We will offer the following courses on IBM compatible computer systems. Other courses may be added in the future:

Basic Introductory Courses

  • Intro to Windows XP hands on
  • Intro to Navigation: Basic Computer Tools hands on
  • Intro to Computers & MS Windows for Absolute Beginners hands-on
  • Intro to the Internet for Absolute Beginners hands-on
  • Intro to MS Word (3 sessions) with librarian, Beth Leanza

Intermediate Courses

  • E-Mail Basics hands on
  • MS Excel 2007 hands on
  • MS Publisher 2007 hands on
  • MS Word 2007 hands on
  • MS Office 2007: An Overview of Word, Excel, and Power Point hands on
  • Intro to Adobe Photoshop Elements' Organizer 1 (ver 5) hands on
  • Intro to Adobe Photoshop Elements' Quick Fix Tool 1 (ver 5) hands on
  • Intro to Adobe Photoshop Elements' Standard Fix Tool 1 (ver 5) hands on
  • Buying Items on E-Bay limited hands on
  • Selling Items on E-Bay limited hands on
  • Create a VCD
  • Please Go Away! Planning your Vacation Online with Rhona Koretzky
  • What is Blogging?
  • Intro to Picasa 2
  • Learn Your Laptop
  • Internet Safety Basics
  • Learn to Google 1 with librarian, Mary Ratzer
  • Learn to Google 2 with librarian, Mary Razter

Advanced Courses

  • Create a Video CD (VCD) hands on
  • MS Access 2007 hands on
  • Housekeeping on the Computer or "PC Maintenance" limited hands on
  • File Management 1 hands on
  • File Management 2 hands on
  • Digital Camera 3-Class Series: Digital Cameras 1, Digital Cameras 2, Digital Cameras 3 all hands on
  • Printing Tips
  • Computer Crafts
  • Intro to Microsoft Vista & Office 2007
  • Managing Digital Pictures

Practice Times

Practice times for former beginner, intermediate, and advanced level students (all ability levels)...

Prerequisite: Must have taken a library computer class or be taking a class to enroll. Single sessions offered give computer users of all ability levels time to practice with the instructor present to answer questions. Former students may use MS Paint, Solitaire, Free Cell, Jigzone, the calculator, MS Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop Elements, or any other program. Even learn to type during these sessions, if you choose, or scan photographs if the instructor knows ahead of time. Students with disabilities are welcome to enroll and are asked to bring along a volunteer assistant; otherwise, please contact the library ahead of time, and if a volunteer is available, the library will match you with one. Contact Kathy Handy for details.

Digital Camera Series

It is best to take all 3 courses consecutively in this new series to fully benefit from the entire course. If you have a digital camera, you may bring it with you to class. If you do not have a digital camera, the library has Canon Powershot S1 IS digital cameras that can be used by students in class, so everyone will have hands on experience. (Please note that we cannot guarantee specific instruction for each individual digital camera.)

Maximum class size is usually 15 students except for some which require a maximum of 10 students. Most courses meet twice a week, two hours per class, for a total of 12 hours per course. Some courses meet for three sessions over one and a half week period, two hours per class, for a total of six hours per course. Occasionally, we offer a one-hour session on special topics.

Frequency of Course Offerings

Courses will be offered year-round at various times.Registration will be conducted four times a year on a seasonal basis. For Registration date and Class timings, please check our Calendar of Events.

Registration date and time for Summer 2008 Computer Courses for Saratoga Springs School District Residents ages 18 and up is: 7:30-9:00am, Saturday, June 7th, 2008.

Missing a Class

We strongly encourage students to plan on taking all classes in a course; however, we realize unforeseen events do occur. Please phone instructor, Kathy Handy, at 584-7860 ext. 257, if you have questions or are unable to attend any class.

Help us know how we served you, and if we can serve you better!
Would you like to give us some feedback on the course(s) you attended here at the library? Do you have any thoughts on improving our services to you in relation to computer training? Then fill out our survey today! We appreciate any feedback you can give us and will take every comment into consideration - glowingly positive feedback is also very much appreciated!