Help with Your Electronics: Teen/Senior Computer Connection

Puzzled by your new iPad, smart phone, Windows 8, and more? What about Facebook, Twitter, or Skype? Our local teens, known as digital natives, can help. After all, they grew up with these devices and what they can do.

Our local teens will be back at the Fremont Main Library, starting Saturday, September 27, 2014, to help folks with questions. Drop in any time from 10:30 ‒ 12:30 p.m. Tutoring will continue through November 15, 2014.

If you have specific questions about a device or smart phone, it would be helpful to bring your manual.

Last summer our teens helped folks with questions about viruses, Skype, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, Facebook, and more.

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Teen/Senior Computer & Gadget Help Program

Do you know someone with a puzzling electronic device or computer? Perhaps it was a gift of a laptop, iPad or an eBook reader from a son or daughter or grandchild. Or, maybe it’s a question about a computer program.

The Fremont Main Library can help. Beginning next Saturday, February 1, 2014, teens from local high schools will again tutor adults through the Teen/Senior Computer and Gadget Help Program. This session’s teens are multilingual, speaking Farsi, Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Urdu, and Burmese. They can tutor in English or the language participants are most comfortable using. The spring program will run February 1 through April 19, 2014, Saturday mornings, 10:30 -12:30 AM.

No need to registrar – just drop in. Tutoring is on a one-to-one basis. Participants may get help with specific questions or may take a structured lesson about Computer Basics, Windows Basics, Microsoft Word Basics, Internet Basics, or Email Basics.

Questions are varied: Participants may need help with Facebook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, their cell phone camera, downloading music, Gmail, using Google, and even more.

Here are some comments from our participants about what they liked:
“I felt very comfortable asking questions and receiving assistance …”
Reason for coming: “Loading electronic books on my iPad and iPhone.

“Excellent. I learned a lot.”
Reason for coming: “Uploading pictures on Facebook.”

“My 2 different tutors were very informative.”
Reason for coming: “All kinds of questions: to build up my confidence with computers.

“How patient and courteous my tutor was.”
Reason for coming: “Smart phone.”

When our teens are not available, do ask for help with the librarians on duty. We have answers, too.

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Find us on Facebook!

The Fremont Main library now has a facebook page.   Like our page so you can get current information on events @your library.  As  you  know,  we  have a calender on  the library webpage, but some things  happen at the last  minute.  For  example, our  lobby book sales that  happen once a month.   We  usually  have  just  a few days  notice before we  have them (the lobby  book sale  is run  by volunteers ) .  

So  Join us  on Facebook , see pictures  of  what is going on, and last-minute changes to  our  calender.

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Twitter, Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn, Dropbox, and the list goes on……

Are you wondering what you’re missing by not jumping into social media?  Are you curious about all  this online tech and their apps?  Are you asking yourself right now what an app is?  Well, Tri-Tech Computer Skills classes offered at the Fremont, Newark and Union City Libraries will help to answer some of those questions for you.  Every month, the schedule of classes changes at each library and range from basic Microsoft applications to general hands-on information about various social media software.   Since all the classes are hands-on, space is limited and registration is required.  If you miss a class you’ll find it will be offered again at one of the three libraries.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Twitter:  Saturday, April 28th 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Union City Library (call 510-745-1464 x 7 to register)
Skype:  Saturday, April 28th 2:30-4:00 p.m. – Newark Library (call 510-795-2627 x20 to register)
PowerPoint Basics (1): Saturday, May 5th, 12:30-2:00 p.m -Fremont Main Library (call 510-745-1401 to register)
Google Docs: Saturday May 12th, 10:30-12 p.m – Newark Library (call 510-795-2627 x20 to register)
Watching TV & Movies on the Internet:  Saturday May 19th, 12:30-2 p.m. – Union City Library (call 510-745-1464 x 7 to register)
PowerPoint Basics (2): Saturday, May 5th, 12:30-2:00 p.m -Fremont Main Library (call 745-1401 to register)
eBooks & eAudiobooks @ your Library: Saturday May 26th, 10:30-12.m. – Newark Library (call 510-795-2627 x20 to register)

Join us for a class and be in the know about social media.  Before you know it you’ll be Facebooking, after you finish working on your GoogleDocs, while you use your smartphone to Skype!!!

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Be on guard online

High-speed Internet connection is now more widely available, and heavy online shopping is no longer limited to the workplace on Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving.  If you are doing any buying from any websites at all, some helpful reminders are provided  here.  The Federal Trade Commission manages OnGuardOnline.gov in partnership with several federal agencies including the departments of Education, Commerce, Justice and Homeland Security, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  Explore the site for tips on how to be safe, secure and responsible online.  Facebook users should be particularly interested in the November 29, 2011 blog entry on the agreement Facebook reached with the FTC regarding privacy.

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Facebook Basics Class for Parents (Facebook入門與安全設定家長班)

Is Facebook safe?  As Facebook becoming a huge social networking media among teens, even tweens or younger children if they faked their age (yes, sadly more than 7.5 million kids under 13 are on Facebook), more and more parents are concerned about what their children are doing on this website.  To help parents understand Facebook and learn how to use privacy and security settings so they can advise their children in social media safety, the Centerville Library is offering Facebook Basics classes for parents in multi-languages.  Our first session will be offered in Mandarin on Thursday, November 10 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.  If needed, a one-on-one appointment with a teen volunteer can be arranged to assist you through the process of setting up a Facebook account.

怎麼辦? 我家的青少年整天掛在Facebook上, Facebook到底安不安全? 您知道嗎? Facebook的人口數, 已使它成為世界第三大國了, 是個”非識不可”的社交網站. 為了因應許多家長的需求, Centerville圖書館決定推出Facebook入門與安全設定課程, 第一場將以中文進行, 歡迎想讓 “擔心” 變 “放心” 的家長踴躍參加!  日期為11月10日, 1:00-2:00 PM.   如有需要, 課後還可另行安排時間, 由青少年義工輔導您建立Facebook帳號.

Centerville圖書館地址如下, 詳情請洽張小姐(Chien), 510-795-2629, email: cchang@aclibrary.org

The Centerville Library is located at 3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont, CA 94536

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Why is the letter A like a flower?

Because –>the B(ee) is after it! <-
(highlight the space between the arrows to reveal the answer)

February is sweet and festive at Centerville Library.  We have prepared two free special holiday events for kids and their family.

Happy Chinese New Year! 恭喜發財!

The Year of the Rabbit falls on February 3 this year.  In traditon, the Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days starting with the new moon on the first day of the first lunar month and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The extended celebration can begin 10 days before the New Year Day with different activities and traditions taking place every day.  To learn more about Chinese New Year, click HERE.

Many Alameda County libraries offer a special program in celebration of this most important Chinese holiday.  At Centerville Library, we will be playing the Lantern Riddle Game for 2 weeks. You may play it at the library or on our Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/centervillelibrary. 

看中文謎語 See English Riddles

Lantern Riddle Game Day: February 3-17. Time: Library Open Hours or anytime on Facebook. Bring the whole family in anytime during our open hours to see all the colorful lantern riddles on display. The riddles are in English or Chinese, some are easy and some are challenging. There is also a “super riddle” in each language. A paper lantern will be rewarded for each riddle solved and of course, a “super prize” for the “super riddle”. Up to two riddles can be solved per day per person. So stop by every day and see how many you can solve! Click on the links above and below the lanterns to preview the riddles. *Prizes are limited and subject to change.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids Day: Tuesday, February 8. Time: 1-6 PM. Make a pop-up Valentine’s card, an origami heart flower, or a special Valentine with your very own creative design. All materials are provided. Just stop by anytime between 1 and 5:30 PM and join the fun! Younger children please bring a adult friend to help.

Get directions to Centerville Library: Google map

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