Our librarians have created this Tech Learning guide to help you discover both library-owned and external resources to support your personal and professional learning goals for digital literacy and tech prowess. We are also happy to confer with you directly to match you with the best resource. Here’s how to reach us: Chat 24/7, Text us at 267-245-7337, Contact us, or call 215-885-5180, ext. 113.
TECH EDUCATION E-RESOURCE
Explore these E-resources to help you move forward in your tech learning. A library card is needed to access this content.
E-Resource | Universal Class |
Who can access | Abington & Rockledge residents with Abington library card. |
What you’ll find | Over 500+ online courses are available. Can choose to earn CEU (Continuing Education Credit) or be a casual learner. Search by these relevant topics in their course catalog: Computers and Technology Web Development |
How to access | Via direct library link. First-time users can register for an account. |
TECH BOOKS
Prefer holding a tech book to learn? Check out these recommended tech titles in our print collection.
TECH EBOOKS, DIGITAL AUDIOBOOKS, AND MAGAZINES
Libby (download Libby app or visit libbyapp.com) | (download the hoopla app on your mobile device or visit hoopladigital.com) |
Montgomery County residents | Abington residents |
Downloadable audiobooks, ebooks, and digital magazines on Tech and Gaming. | Access tech ebooks, audiobooks, or movies. |
Search by magazine category: Tech and Gaming. Over 300 titles available. Search by subject category: Computer Technology for ebooks/audiobooks. Online help: https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/index.htm | Search the genre, “Computer” and then select your subcategory of interest and sort by "release date” for the latest editions. https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/categories/genres/917231459 Online help: https://www.hoopladigital.com/help |
LOCAL AND STATE RESOURCES
- AARP Senior Planet's online tech tips video tutorials, online group classes, or phone hotline with experienced human trainers are available, Mondays - Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- PA Career Link – The Montgomery County office offers software training workshops both in-person and online and access to other learning resources for workplace skills.
Address: 1430 Dekalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401.
610-270-3429.
They release their training and event schedule monthly. Sign up for their career services newsletter and view their training schedule on the same site.
- Niche Academy’s PA Online Learning Collection - Available free to all Pennsylvania residents. Video tutorials on computer basics, the Internet, popular software tools, computer graphics and illustration, and operating systems. Videos include captions and full-text transcripts for accessibility. First-time users need to create an account. Then, sign in with your email address. No library card is needed.
- Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library’s Computer Lab offers classes over the Internet (at home or at library). For details, contact the Computer Lab directly at
610-278-5100 x141.
Address: MC-NPL Computer Lab, 1001 Powell St., Norristown, PA 19401.
www.mc-npl.org.
- https://eastech.org/ - Eastern Center for Arts & Technology is a local, accredited career and technical education center. Contact Gerry Rooney, Supervisor of Career & Technical Education,
215-784-4817 or visit their website for details.
Address: 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090.
- https://cheltenhamtownshipadultschool.org/ Check out their Computer and Technology courses for adults.
Cheltenham Township Adult School (CTAS) is located at 500 Rices Mill Road, Wyncote, PA 19095.
Telephone: 215-887-1720.
WEBSITES
- www.digitallearn.org - free website with self-directed, video tutorials aimed at novice end-users available in English or Spanish to help those who are "new to computers, haven't used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher." This site's content was originally created by Gail Borden Public Library and now is maintained by the Public Library Association.
- https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/subjects/tech/ - free video tutorials for the most common tech skills and software.
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpQQipWcxwt-Q9izCl0mm-QZ4seuBdUtr - free video series that explains basic principles of computer science such as hardware, software, algorithms, and binary system.
- https://grow.google Grow with Google offers free digital skills, online training, and tools and has helped “5 million Americans grow their skills, careers, and businesses.” Their learning content is tailored to three groups: small businesses, job seekers, and students. They offer tech career certificate tracks for professional development. Search their free training opportunities called GoolgeonAir for either specific training dates or explore their on-demand virtual workshops.
- EdX lets you “learn programming with free online courses from real college courses from Harvard, MIT, and more of the world’s leading universities. Pick up essential coding skills for frontend or backend web development, Android, or IOS” at no cost with their free audit track options. Browse their course catalog by topic for computer programming, data analysis, or design and take advantage of the open access to a diverse, extensive learning community. Try EdX’s self-paced CS50X course for coding by Harvard instructor David Malan and read their blog’s rich set of industry and tech career articles.
SUGGESTIONS?
We welcome your feedback to keep our offerings current and relevant for your digital literacy needs. If we are missing a tech learning resource you want to use or if you have comments about anything in this guide, please let us know.