Forsyth Library launches eight-week computer literacy classes for adults

Forsyth County Public Library has opened an eight-week computer literacy series aimed at helping adults become more comfortable with everyday digital tasks, a move that matters for residents who increasingly rely on online services for banking, health care and work. The sessions began Jan. 9 and continue Fridays through Feb. 27 from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. in the library administration building computer lab adjacent to the Cumming Library.

Elizabeth Ortiz of Lanier Technical College is teaching the classes, which are capped at 12 participants per session and require advance registration at forsythpl.org. With eight sessions and 12 seats each, the program offers up to 96 seat-registrations, though many attendees may sign up for multiple weeks when topics span more than one session.

“The first session will focus on helping students become more comfortable handling each component of the computer and learning about the different software,” Ortiz said in a library news release. The curriculum then moves to internet use, social media and web-based communication in the second and third sessions. Weeks four and five concentrate on word processing and Microsoft Word, weeks six and seven focus on Microsoft Excel, and the final week covers Microsoft PowerPoint.

Participants may register for individual classes or multiple sessions; the library recommends signing up for all sessions that cover a single topic to build cumulative skills. The 90-minute weekly format is designed for adults who may need hands-on time in a small-group setting rather than a one-off lecture.

For local households, the course reduces the informal burden on younger family members who often field technical questions for parents and grandparents. For older workers and job-seekers, familiarity with Word and Excel remains a baseline requirement for many positions and applications. Small-business operators and nonprofit volunteers who rely on basic spreadsheets and presentations will also see direct benefits, while greater digital confidence can help residents navigate online billing, telehealth portals and social communication tools more safely.

Space is limited and demand may be concentrated in early weeks, so residents should register promptly if they want specific topics or consecutive sessions. The library’s program is a practical step in closing local digital gaps and building skills that support employment, community engagement and daily life.