One of the best community resources can be found at the local public library, or anywhere else, there is with a computer and an Internet connection. I am referring to on line computer training. One of the best things a client can do is to focus on something other than their problems. On line computer-training programs can do that, and best of all they are free and open to everyone. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection and that can be found, also for free at the local public library.
Now there are many other reasons to visit a library. For someone suffering from stress in their lives, and all of my clients are. The calm quiet atmosphere of the library is designed to calm and soothe. There are comfortable chairs, as well as the desks and screens in the computer area. In addition to the on line computers capabilities libraries offer many other resources. They serve as a hub of intellectual and social programs. If they are looking with trepidation on employing the services of another community resource, they can find out more about it at the local public library. Many, if not most community resources have additional materials available at the library and clients can access these materials at no cost. There are just so many resources options to chose it is impossible to even list them all in the space of just one journal entry, so I am going to focus on one; the on line training program offered free by Microsoft Corporation.
Microsoft provides free Internet Office training for Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint Access, Lync, OneNote, Publisher, SharePoint and Visio. There are training videos and 15-minute webinars. All of these training resources are freely offered. There are no limitations to this resource's service delivery area or the population it serves. The on line training services it provides have no eligibility requirements, and there is no the referral process needed at all. Pleasant as it is, there is no need for someone to visit the library to access these resources. All a client needs to do is go to: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training-FX101782702.aspx and they are right there. The page is clearly laid out with the choices to choose to watch a video or take a webinar. The videos are brief 15 minute sessions, and can be repeated again and again if needed. So even if a client feels they just do not “get it” the first time they can just watch it again. Clients set their own pace, no one judges them, no one complains that they are working too slowly. With so many training modules available for each of their products it allows a client to set up their own training schedule to suit their personal needs and desires.
Now completing Microsoft training is a valuable personal asset. It makes them more comfortable with computers and that adds to their ability to access many other resources. In addition, when they are using a computer to access other resources or do other tasks having the back ground computer training lets them focus comfortably on the task at hand, not on the computer itself. But above and beyond that there is a certain sense of accomplishment and personal sense of self worth that comes from learning something new, and that is the best thing that this resource offers.
References
Microsoft. (2013). Office training. Retrieved 06 10, 2013, from Microsoft: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training-FX101782702.aspx
Public Libraries. (2013). Public Libraries: Home. Retrieved 06 10, 2013, from Public Libraries: http://www.publiclibraries.com/
