Learning and Training in Libraries

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Adult Learners Week - 12 - 18 May

Activities are being held in all Kingston Libraries. Download a leaflet with details from the link below.

Volunteers needed for our Back to Work groups

Would you be able to help people with basic IT skills, such as attaching a CV to an email, creating an email address, helping to fill in online application forms?

If the answer is 'yes' we need you! New Malden and Hook Libraries are running 'Back to Work' groups and we need volunteers to come and help out at these sessions. You can choose from a morning or afternoon session and we would need your commitment to helping out for an 8 week period initially. The sessions run for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

To find out more please contact Lisa Gebbie on 020 8547 6485.

Computer Classes

The Kingston Library Service has a range of learning opportunities. Enquire at the desk of any of our branches, and staff will point you in the right direction.

Please note: 1-to-1 tuition is no longer available at library branches.

There are Open Learning sessions every Monday from 10 to 12pm and Silver Surfer sessions on alternate Saturdays 10am to 12 noon at Hook Library, or Silver Surfer sessions at New Malden library on alternate Saturdays, 9.30am to 11.30am.  There are also Silver Surfer sessions running on alternate Saturday mornings, 10 - 11.30am at Surbiton Library. The sessions cover basic IT practice and can also be used for job seeking.

All these sessions cost £2 each. Silver Surfer sessions are also available at Kingston Library, usually on the first Wednesday of the month. Please enquire at the branch for dates.

Back to Work groups will run on Wednesdat afternoons, 2.45 - 4.15pm at New Malden Library and Monday mornings, 10 - 12noon at Hook Library. Cost: FREE. Help available for filling in online application forms, looking for jobs online, CVs and basic computer skills if required.

For further details and to book your place on any courses, please call in at the relevant branch or ring 020 8547 6485 or e-mail Lisa:

Basic Computer Literacy

If you are new to the internet and email, looking to enhance your skills for work, or just generally wanting to take part in the virtual world, the library service has a range of courses to meet your needs. All branches are registered UK Online Centres and links to basic online computer courses are available on all public PCs in branch. Just ask a member of staff to help get you started and for your library centre code.

All seven library branches in Kingston have public access computers with internet access and commonly used software including Microsoft Office and Open Office. Library staff are trained to a minimum standard in IT skills, and many hold the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualification, so if you need help just ask and they will be happy to assist.

Computer use in some branches is very popular so you are advised to book.  Members can use the kiosks in branches to book a time slot or can ask a member of staff for assistance.  If you are not a library member you will need to provide proof of ID.  The first hour is free, after which there is a charge.

If you are under 16 your parent or guardian will be asked to complete and sign a form giving you permission to access the internet unaccompanied. If this permission is granted, a note to show this will be added to your membership card.

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

(Charges apply - see ECDL Information for Candidates page)

Studying towards ECDL qualification will help you gain essential computer skills and give you confidence and competency in IT. It will help you be more efficient in your existing job and may improve your job prospects. 1.5 million people in the UK have chosen ECDL as the way to learn important IT skills.

You can undertake testing in this valuable qualification at New Malden Library, Tolworth Library or Hook Library at a time to suit you (during library opening hours).

We also offer ECDL advanced testing at Hook Library (cost: £55 per module).

For further information contact:

Get To Work Group

(Free)

New Malden, Hook and Tolworth libraries run free open access computer sessions to help job seekers search for work.  These sessions offer you the opportunity for:

• IT training and certification
• Help with producing a CV
• Searching on line for jobs
• Downloading job applications
• Applying for jobs online
• Online Skills for Life training

A regular session runs every Wednesday afternoon 2.45 to 4.15pm at New Malden Library or every Tuesday afternoon 3 - 4.30pm at Hook Library. If you would like further details please contact: 020 8547 5006 or email

A regular session runs on the first and third Thursday of the month from 2.15pm to 3.45pm at Tolworth Community Library. If you would like further details please contact 020 8547 5006 or email

In addition to these sessions, there is an open learning drop in session every Monday morning at Hook Library from 10 - 12pm (resuming on Monday 12 September), which is available for jobseekers.

Language

(Free)

Online courses can be accessed through our computers that will get you started in French, Spanish, German, Italian and more.