Need free computer guidance? Library’s “Lynda” can help

Lessons in Photoshop, Facebook, Excel and more

January 15, 2010
by Pamela Thornton

Each week the Chappaqua Library offers in-person basic computer classes, but we were receiving requests for advanced in-depth training of specific software beyond our capabilities. Then we found Lynda.

Lynda.com is a training company that provides online, self-paced instruction of over 700 different software products through over 42,000 online videos.  Everything from creating and maintaining a Facebook account or using an iPhone, to more advanced topics such as Quark, AutoCad, Photoshop, Excel, Final Cut Pro, to name just a few.

The tutorial videos are available for viewing on your home computer 24/7 using Quicktime (a free software program).  Each video can be viewed as many times as necessary for complete comprehension.

The library has purchased five licenses for Chappaqua patrons to use, which means that five patrons can access the system at any one time. To sign up for this service, patrons must provide their name, library barcode number and start date on the registration form on the library’s website, chappaqualibrary.org. Library staff will activate the license and send a confirmation email with instructions to access the system. The account will then be active for a two-week period, during which the patron may review as many topics or lessons as her or she desires.

For information on their tutorials and the lessons available, please visit the Lynda website.

Pamela Thornton is the director of the Chappaqua Library.

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