Helpful Guidelines

Morrisson Reeves Library has a computer lab with 13 computers from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. We offer free classes to the public. The classes are listed in order of difficulty and should be considered in sequence.  All computer classes require some familiarity with the computer/typewriter keyboard.

CORE/BASIC CLASSES

1. Intro to Computers & the Internet
[3 training sessions]
Designed for the non-computer user or for those with limited computer experience. Identified are the parts of a computer system, storage media, and software available on computers in our computer labs. Instruction includes the start up and shut down of a computer system, using a mouse, fundamentals of the Windows operating system, terminology associated with using Windows based programs, and the basics of using the Internet. If you have not used a mouse before, stop by the computer lab in AV Services to use our self-paced tutorial on mouse fundamentals. A lack of good mouse skills will impede your learning.

2. Internet Searching
[2 training sessions]
Session 1 covers basic browser usage with examples and fun exercises including typing web addresses and visiting informative and amazing websites.

Session 2 covers techniques to make Internet searching fast and effective. You will learn what an Internet address reveals about a website, how to make and manage bookmarks/favorites, how to use keywords, and how to use Boolean operators. Prerequisite: Intro to Computers & the Internet

3. Microsoft Word
[4 training sessions]
Covers the basics of document creation, editing, and formatting. This class also covers outlining, graphics, tables, columns, and several special features such as screen shots, callouts, special characters, the “Resume Wizard,” and “mailmerge” address labels. Prerequisite: Intro to Computers & the Internet

INTERMEDIATE CLASSES

Editing Graphics with Paint
[1 training session]
Provides basic training in editing, altering, and creating graphics with Paint software. Focuses on the use of paint tools and associated graphic manipulations.
Prerequisite: Scanner Basics

E-mail
[2 training sessions]
Learn to use e-mail. Set up e-mail accounts, send and receive e-mail, manage an address book (contacts), back up an address book, and work with attachments (send pictures and documents). Learn the difference between CC and BCC. Block Spam.

Microsoft Access
[3 training sessions]
Learn how to use and create databases, build and manipulate tables, create forms, perform queries, and create reports. Prerequisite: Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel
[3 training sessions]
Learn how to create, edit, format, and print basic spreadsheets. Create formulas, use “autofill,” make graphs, and use “mailmerge” to print labels for mass mailing.

Microsoft PowerPoint
[3 training sessions]
Create slide show presentations on the computer screen that can be projected on a wall screen with an appropriate projector. Learn to combine text, ClipArt, digitized photographs, sounds, and music to make a presentation that is enhanced with formatting, transitions, and animation.

Microsoft Publisher Basics
[2 training sessions]
Create greeting cards, business cards, flyers, and “mailmerge” award certificates.

MRL Website; WebPAC & INSPIRE
[2 training sessions]

Session 1 explains the use of the full range of resources available through Morrisson-Reeves Library’s website including the “Local History Site,” “Ask a Librarian,” and the genealogy pages. Learn to use the online catalog to identify and locate library materials and the index to local newspapers. Learn how to check your library records, update personal information, place holds, create bibliographies, and renew checked out materials online. Also learn to use the various electronic resources MRL is creating or buying for you including the Wayne County Civil War Database, Reference USA, Opposing Viewpoints, General Reference Center Gold, and a host of other exciting resources.

Session 2 covers the use of INSPIRE, Indiana’s Virtual Library. INSPIRE includes links to the websites and online catalogs of many Indiana libraries. INSPIRE also includes a set of periodical databases many of which provide full-text electronic versions of the same newspapers, magazines, and journals that you would use in the Library. Other exciting information resources on INSPIRE include: the Biography Resource Center, the Career Collection, Informé (a Spanish language periodical database), LitFinder, and “What Tree Is It?” There are even special versions of INSPIRE for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

Scanner Basics
[2 training sessions]

Session 1 introduces image files and file handling. Learn how to scan images using a flatbed scanner, and practice scanning printing scanned images.

Session 2 covers how to use a scanner to scan documents, convert them to text with OCR (optical character recognition) software, printing pictures from Microsoft Word, and additional practice scanning pictures.

[Bring 6-10 good photographs to class when you come. We will scan them, print them, and burn the files to a CD for you to take home.]

REGISTRATION POLICY

Please read before registering for classes!

Our computer lab is equipped with 13 computers available for instruction and one teaching station.  Therefore, class size is limited to no more than 13 individuals for any scheduled training session.  To take any of our computer training classes, you must register with our Reception Office in person or by phone at 765-966-8291 or through our web site.  Registration for any of our individual sessions or series (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.) begins no earlier than two weeks before the date of the class.  If you call our Reception Office or drop by to register for a training session and the session is already full, you may be placed on a waiting list for that particular session. 

For the sake of others wanting to take computer training and are not able to register for classes due to full registration, please notify our Reception Office or our web site as soon as you know that you will not be able to attend a session for which you are registered so that your slot is made available to someone else.

We appreciate your cooperation in making our computer training available to as many individuals as possible.