January 2021 -- Computer & Technology News
TECHNOLOGY CLASSES

PPL regularly offers varied free computer and technology training classes. Whether for personal use or small business application, these classes are an opportunity for you to get savvy with the latest web technologies and tools.
 
Registration is required! To register online or for more information, visit www.provlib.org/calendar. If you need assistance, please call 455-8000.

Our classes have now transitioned to online sessions!
Upcoming Programs...Start 2022 Off With Us!
Earn College Credit at PPL...

Introducing a New Learning Circle for College Credit at PPL Beginning January 12!

Learning circles are free, interest-driven study groups that are lightly facilitated. They are an opportunity to study a topic using digital resources or an online course and learn from and with your peers in a casual and supportive environment. They can be in-person, virtual, or a blend of these two environments. 

Wednesdays, January 12 - February 9 | 2:30 - 4 pm, via Zoom

How to Talk about Race is a free 5-week course designed to help participants moderate discussions about race. Participants will gain experience in:
  • Using and understanding the purpose of an Identity Wheel.
  • Exploring implicit bias & micro-aggressions.
  • Understanding systemic racism, the concept of “lived experiences,” and framing conversations.
  • Facilitating discussions about race, and establishing ground rules for a group discussion.
  • Navigating everyday scenarios relating to race.

Course materials developed by Amrita Patel and Denise LaForce. Learn more

Please note: This class is open to all, whether for credit or not, but credit is only available through learning circles meeting in Providence, RI. To learn more about earning credit, visit: https://docs.p2pu.org/tools-and-resources/credit-bearing-learning-circle-pilot-faq
RHODE CODERS CLASSES START JANUARY 15
SIGN UP TODAY!

Our popular learn-to-code classes are back, with in-person classes at Cranston Public Library starting January 15!

If you've ever wanted to learn coding, but haven't known where to begin, these classes are for you. Check out the links below for more details and to register:

HTML/CSS
Saturdays, 1 - 2:30 pm
January 15 - March 19

JavaScript
Saturdays, 3 - 4:30 pm
January 15 to March 19
LEARN PYTHON CODING IN OUR LEARNING CIRCLE

Tuesdays, January 18 - March 8
Online 5:30 - 7 pm

Join one of our instructors, Alex, who will be facilitating a this new learning circles for those who want to learn the Python Coding language! Come learn with us!

A learning circle is a great way to explore a new topic that offers more flexibility than a traditional class. It's an informal group of people who meet once per week to take a free online class together in order to learn a new skill or subject.

Find out more and register here: https://provlib.libcal.com/event/8688301
SAVE THE DATE!

Skill Up in the New Year at PPL's Technology Skill Up Event

Saturday, February 19
10 am - 1 pm

Get your new year off to a good start with PPL's Technology Skill Up event featuring mini-workshops on some of the exciting technology topics we cover, as well as a chance to connect with other learners and explore the free programming the Library will offer in 2022!

More information and event registration will be coming soon. For now, save the date!
TECH TIP: ARCHIVE.ORG

Do you know about all the free resources available on the Internet Archive, aka Archive.org? This archive is a registered non-profit dedicated to preserving digital materials and making them freely accessible to all–that means free resources for you!

To get started, here are a few things you might find interesting:

The Wayback Machine https://archive.org/web/
Allows you to view older versions of webpages. Just put in the link for any webpage, and you’ll see all of the historical “captures” that Wayback has. Did you know that this [ https://web.archive.org/web/19980210175524/http://www.yahoo.com/ ] is how the Yahoo homepage looked in 1998?

Listen to thousands of hours of old radio shows!

Play old favorite computer games like SimCity, Oregon Trail, and DOOM for free, right in your web browser.

Public domain audiobooks read by volunteers - free for you to listen or download.
Rhode Island's online resource center...

Do you know about all the FREE online resources at AskRI.org? This includes World Book Online, Mango Languages, Ebsco Databases, Explora, NoveList, A to Z Databases, RI Resource Hub, Learning Express and Auto Repair Center.  
 
AskRI.org and the Statewide Reference Resource Center are services of Providence Public Library. Funding for these services is provided by the State of Rhode Island and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LSTA) through the Office of Library and Information Services.
Are YOU a PPL Alum? We would love to hear your story!
If you have had an experience at PPL that you'd like to share, we invite you to join our PPL Alum ranks.

PPL welcomes individuals from all walks of life and each has a unique story to tell - stories that illustrate the positive impact our library makes in the lives of those we serve. We want to celebrate and share these stories of personal achievement and transformation with you. Each one exemplifies the Library’s mission to engage, inspire, and connect…whether through personal enjoyment or enlightenment, purposeful education, or professional development.

We consider everyone in our library community who has had a shared library experience to be a member of our family…a #PPLAlum.