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Digital Skills Support

Help Becoming More Tech Savvy

Somerset County Library continues its partnership with PA CareerLink of Somerset to offer a rotating series of Digital Literacy Workshops on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 9 AM to 10 AM. These workshops are a rolling series of classes designed to prepare people—especially job seekers—to pass the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment and earn official certificates that could help set them apart from other job applicants. But the skills learned are useful in everyday life. Watch the @SomersetCL Facebook events page at https://www.facebook.com/SomersetCL/events for upcoming topics and contact CareerLink to register at 814-445-4161.

Another opportunity to become more tech savvy happens every week on Tech Thursday from 6 PM to 7 PM by appointment only. These small group or one on one technology tutoring sessions can help you learn things like how to use a cellular hotspot, how to download ebooks and digital audiobooks, or how to use the library’s online resources. Call the library at 814-445-5907, ext. 1 to schedule an appointment.

Thanks to a Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive grant through the Public Library Association and AT&T, Somerset County Library will offer some additional technology learning opportunities through the end of 2023, including:

  • Tech Tuesday from 6 to 7 PM the 1st Tuesday of the month. Learn how to use various devices (like computers, smart phones, tablets, and e-readers), plus websites, online resources, programs and apps. Watch the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SomersetCL/events for specific upcoming topics. No appointment needed.
  • Computer How To Sessions every Wednesday from 6 to 7 PM and on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 1 to 2 PM. People who are new to computers, smart phones or tablets or who just want to build their confidence with using technology can learn some basics at these classes. Watch the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SomersetCL/events for specific upcoming topics. No appointment needed.
  • Digital Learn Digital Literacy Outreach Workshops. Somerset County Library is able to offer a limited number of Digital Learn Computer How-To Outreach Classes at other community locations through the end of 2023. Organizations may request that library staff present any of the classes found on the website at https://www.digitallearn.org/ at their site, and library staff will do their best to accommodate all requests.   These classes are also offered at the library periodically through Tech Tuesday programs and Computer How to Sessions. Organizations wishing to schedule a class to be taught at their location should contact Beth Hornig, Somerset County Library Assistant Director, at 814-445-5907, ext. 105.

Other digital skills programming schedules vary, and content is aimed at helping people of all ages build digital skills and learn to independently make effective use of technology to perform daily tasks and to improve their personal and professional lives.

Grow with Google and Google Applied Digital Skills Classes

As a Grow with Google Partner, Somerset County Library offers periodic special Grow with Google and Applied Digital Skills Classes on a wide range of topics.  We also have an online Applied Digital Skills Classroom where you can access self-paced, on demand classes. Watch the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SomersetCL/events for specific upcoming real-time virtual or in-person topics. No appointment needed. Past Applied Digital Skills Classes in Somerset County Library’s Personal Enrichment Series Online are curated under the Class Code: 8gqs3f. To access these and other self-paced online classes:

  1. Go to https://g.co/AppliedDigitalSkills/GetStarted
  2. Create a GMAIL account to use with the Applied Digital Skills classes, or login using a GMAIL account you already have.
  3. You will be prompted to select a reason why you are using Applied Digital Skills. Select I’m a student.
  4. Enter the Class Code: 8gqs3f and click
  5. Click Yes, Join to join the Personal Enrichment Series Classroom.

Once in the classroom, you may take any of the past Personal Enrichment Series online classes. You may also select Browse Lessons to see additional learning collections, most of which are free of charge, such as College Readiness, Start or Grow Your Small Business, and more.  You can also search for lessons on specific topics and filter by intended audience or digital tool. Note: As of the time of publication, there is one learning collection, Google Career Certificates, that has a fee associated with it.  Scholarships are available for Google Career Certificates through a partner library.  Contact us for more information.

Need a Desktop Computer?

People age 18 and older can apply to be given a free desktop computer plus 2 years of tech support through Somerset County Library’s Digital Navigator Program and our partnership with Computer Reach, a digital equity and inclusion nonprofit in Pittsburgh with which we partner to distribute Computer Reach Lottery Computers. Fill out the form here: https://bit.ly/SCLComputerLottery As staff time and computer availability allow, we award Lottery Computers to people per SCL’s Computer Reach Lottery Computer Bundle Distribution Policy.

SCFLS STEAM Initiative

As the headquarters library of the Somerset County Federated Library System, Somerset County Library hosts or takes out into the community a variety of workshops, summer camps, Clubs, and special programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics with financial assistance from the SCFLS STEAM Initiative, a K-12 educational improvement organization eligible to receive tax-incentivized donations from businesses eligible to receive Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credits (see https://scfls.org/steam-initiative/  for more information on the STEAM Initiative). Ongoing year-round STEAM Initiative programming that takes place at Somerset County Library include a weekly STEAM Club on Mondays at 6 PM and a monthly Inventor’s Club on the 1st Saturday of each month at 1 PM encourage attendees to explore a variety of topics in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through hands-on activities.  These year-round offerings target ages 7 or 8 and up but are open to all ages. Younger attendees would require parental assistance.

Watch our Facebook events page at  https://www.facebook.com/SomersetCL/events for specific upcoming class, club, and workshop topics and for updates on these and other library programs.