The Bay County Library System offers a variety of public classes at the computer lab. There is a fee of $5.00 per session for each class. Registration is required and class size is limited to ten persons. In addition, you will need to show a valid Bay County Library System library card in order to use the computers. You may register for any of the classes listed on this page by calling or visiting the lab during regular hours.

Classes Offered:

Please note that there is a fee of $5.00 per session for computer classes. Note that some classes run multiple sessions; e.g., our Microsoft Word series is a four-session class and would thus have a fee of $20.

At this time there is a waiting list for all classes. If there is a class in which you are interested listed below, please contact the computer lab at 989-893-9566, ext 2224, to be placed on a waiting list. You will be contacted when a class is available.

Computer Basics

So you would like to use a computer but don't know the first thing about it? No problem! Sign up for our computer basics class and we'll show you what it's all about. Students will learn:

• The basic components of a computer.
• Simple navigation in the Windows environment.
• How to use a mouse.

Microsoft Word Series

This is a four-session classs.

Learn the basics of Microsoft Word 2003. These classes are designed to help you get started with word processing. We will cover:

• The basic tool bars and menus in Word 2003.
• Learning and practicing new skills, including formatting, cutting, copying and pasting text, creating a new document, opening an existing file, and saving information to a diskette.
• Gaining an understanding of the many different ways to do a task.
• How tables work; creating the table, adding data to it, and formatting it.
• How the drawing tools work.
• Learn setting margins, using columns, inserting page numbers, footnotes, and clip art.

Microsoft Excel I

Here is a class that will teach you how to build a simple spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel 2003. Students will learn:

• Common uses for a spreadsheet.
• Basic tools of Excel 2003.
• How to build a simple budget spreadsheet using Excel 2003

Microsoft Publisher I

Here's your chance to make greeting cards, business cards, stationary, flyers, invitations and more with a few clicks of the mouse! In this class you will:

• Learn about the basic toolbars used in Publisher.
• Gain hands-on experience in using the wizard to create items.

Introduction To and Surfing the Internet

If you've always had a desire to wander out onto the information highway but didn't know where to get started, this is the class for you! In this class you will learn how to:

• Operate the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.
• Choose a search engine (and learn what it is).
• Troubleshoot problems with searching and more!

Introduction to Hotmail

Have you ever wished you had a way to communicate with someone that lives in another city without having to make a long distance phone call or write a letter? Well now you can! This class is designed to teach you how to use Hotmail (Microsoft's World Wide Web server-based email program). The class will cover:

• The use of email, including terminology and etiquette.
• Composing and sending a message, as wll as sending attachments, reading messages, fowarding messages, and deleting emails.
• Making folders in an address book.
• NOTE: Students must have a free Microsoft Hotmail account set up prior to the start of class. (See a lab staff member to assist you, if neccessary.)

• What programs are available on these computers?
• What classes are available?
• Are there any restrictions on the use of these computers?