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MC-NPL Computer Lab

The Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Computer Lab seeks to enrich and empower all individuals through the use of technology. To this end, we foster information technology literacy through classroom instruction and address the computing needs of the public by providing access to the Internet, productivity software, and Online Research.

The Lab is located on the first floor of the library, just beyond the circulation (front) desk. The Lab was initially funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with an additional grant for furnishings and Lab construction from the estate of Norristown Resident Lillian Smith Marx. A new grant in 2008 from the MacLean Contributionship provided us with new Microsoft Windows Vista computers and the Microsoft Office 2007 productivity suite of programs. The Genuardi's Employee Caring Fund has also donated generously to support the Computer Lab and its mission.

About our Computer Classes

 Lab User Frequently Asked Questions

Electronic Resources Acceptable Use Policy

ElectronicResourcesAcceptableUsePolicy.txt

Computer Lab Hours and Contact Info

Hours
Monday-Thursday 9:00am - 7:30pm
Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9:00am - 4:30pm
(Saturday, July 7-Sept 1, 10am-1:30pm)

The computer lab is available to the public during these hours, except when having a class (plus half an hour before the class to prepare.) The calendar of upcoming classes can be found here.

To contact the lab, call 610-278-5100 Ext. 141,
or e-mail Andrea Philo.

Click here to review the computer lab policies.

About Our Computer Classes


The computer lab offers classes on computing skills beginning from the lowest-level foundations, progressing into more specialized classes on using specific programs for specific purposes. The goal of our classes is to know not only how to operate a mouse and how to "get onto the Internet," but also how to be productive with a computer and learn some helpful tools that some computer users are not aware of about how the computer functions.

We offer two tracks of courses, the Welcome to the Web, designed for the student who is primarily interested in getting on the internet and doing email, and the Comprehensive Track to Productivity, intended for the student who needs to develop or refresh computing skills that will lead to productivity in a computing environment at home and especially in the workplace.

Welcome to the Web classes meet once a week for three weeks. The cost is $15.00. They cover learning to use the mouse, introduction to web browsing software, and creating an email account. The Comprehensive Track to Productivity is comprised of three courses, the first of which last five weeks, which costs $25.00. It begins with mousing skills. The Windows Vista environment is then explored including the desktop and parts of a window. Ultimately the student will learn how to multi-task, creating, saving and managing their files. Included is instruction in using an internet browser and a web-based electronic mail service. The final 4 weeks of courses, for those who have demonstrated proficiency using this skill set, are devoted to introductions to Microsoft Word 2007 and Microsoft Excel 2007. These two courses last two weeks each and cost $10.00 apiece.

The courses must be taken in sequence. However, if you are interested in Word and Excel, it is possible to test out of the Computer Essentials course by demonstrating your skills via prepared proficiency exercises. When classes are full, first preference for seats is given to persons attending the entire series of courses rather than to those who test out of prerequisites.

Classes in the Comprehensive Track to Productivity are taught on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 and Friday mornings from 10:30 to 12:30. Content is the same for either day; you do not need to sign up for more than one day. Students are not permitted to switch between days. The Welcome to the Web course is held on Wednesday mornings 10:30 to 12:30. Classes are not held in December, July or August.


Winter 2012 Classes Calendar

Spring 2012 Classes Calendar

Computer Classes Frequently Asked Questions

Class Resources Page

For more information about classes, you can e-mail the lab.

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Course descriptions


  • Welcome to the Web This track, in 3 weeks, gets you on the internet and sending and receiving emails. Computer Basics starts with moving the mouse and basic parts of the computer screen. You will then learn to use a Web browser to access the Internet. Finally you will create a personal web-based E-Mail account.

  • Computer Essentials Course This 5 week course will introduce beginners to the parts of the computer, familiarize them with the use of the mouse, present the various parts of a window, and how to manage the screen, including resizing windows and multi-tasking, with emphasis placed on the task bar. Included also will be creating, saving and organizing files. In addition, students will be introduced to the World Wide Web and ways to navigate it. Then it will help each student sign up for a free email address and learn how to send and receive email and attachments.

  • Microsoft Office Word 2007: Students who are more interested in learning how to create documents such as letters and resumes will learn in this class about how to use a word processor, Microsoft Office Word 2007, for creating and editing documents. Course includes the use of basic text functions, print preview, tables, pictures & objects, and much more.

  • Microsoft Office Excel 2007: Building from the knowledge learned in the Word class, some students might choose to also learn about the spreadsheet application, Microsoft Office Excel 2007. This course teaches spreadsheeting basics, creating and manipulating formulas, working between multiple worksheets, and creating tables and charts through the use of a sample budget.

    Courses must be taken in sequence. If you wish to try to pass over an early class,
    contact one of our instructors about "testing out" of the class.


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    Computer Lab Regulations


  • Everyone must sign into the Lab with a Library Card or Access Granted pass. (Exceptions made only for children under 3 yrs. old accompanying a parent) Both are obtained at the Circulation (main) Desk.
  • Patrons whose Library Cards require updating will be referred to the Circulation Desk, including resolving unpaid fines.
  • When the lab reaches full capacity, a waiting list is started, and users who have been on for the longest time period will be asked to sign off. Patrons are guaranteed a minimum of 30 minutes.
  • Reference Dept. machines are available during Lab closures and are shutdown one half hour after lab reopens.
  • No more than two (2) users at one computer. Both must have Library Cards or passes.
  • Small children (3 and under) must be secured in stroller, carrier, etc.
  • Older children (up to 12) may accompany their parents to a machine, but are generally expected to use the computers in the children's department upstairs.
  • Teens (13-16) may use the lab but may not have filtering removed.
  • There are no speakers on the computers, but there is a headphone jack. Patrons must supply their own headphones.
  • Users may bring in removable media such as floppy disks, CDs or thumb drives. Saving files directly to our computers is not possible.
  • Select resources are available for purchase if patrons should need them. We sell floppy disks (new $1.00, used $0.50), CDs ($1.00). We will not hold any of these items for you.
  • The lab does have printing capability. Text only prints are $0.15 each page. Graphics, pictures and other pages involving heavy ink use are charged at a higher rate - less than a half page is $.50, more than a half page is $1.00. All prints are black and white.
  • Users must turn off cell phones and pagers while in the Lab.


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