At the County of Prince Edward Public Library we answer tech questions every single day – everything from how to set up a business website to “is this email a scam?” and beyond.

The library’s tech people Adam and Aaron are happy to make one-on-one appointments, at no charge, to help you find answers to your questions. If you use a cell phone, tablet or laptop computer you can bring in your personal device for hands on assistance. Adam and Aaron are both patient, experienced teachers who promise not to use jargon or leave you more confused than you were when you came in! Call (613) 476-5962 to book a time, or to register for one or both of the upcoming workshops.

The first upcoming workshop is called “Digital Security.” How do we ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our personal information and data? This introduction to cybersecurity includes tools and strategies for online protection. We will cover common tactics used to steal information and data as well as best practices for personal protection. We will touch on recent scams and fraudulent activity as covered by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. This workshop will take place Friday, February 10 at 2 p.m. in person at the Picton Branch Library.

The second upcoming workshop is “Operating Systems, Software and Services” In this workshop, we will cover operating systems such as Mac and Windows as well as various issues of compatibility. We will discuss differences between software such as Microsoft Office and MacIntosh Pages, and hosted digital services such as Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, Sheets) and Facebook (and Instagram). We will also highlight the privacy issues inherent in today’s digital domain as a way of making informed decisions about what products and services we use. Friday, February 17 at 2 p.m. in person at the Picton Branch Library.

Did you know that you can print, scan and use WIFI at the library? In addition to public access computers at every branch of the library, there are a number of other services you can use. For example, if you have an email that you need to print in order to return a package, you can print it at the library. Black and white printing is 20 cents a page and library staff are happy to help you. You can also connect to the library’s WIFI 24 hours a day – at most branches the signal is strong enough to allow you to connect from outside during closed hours.

If you have suggestions for technology workshops you would like to see at the library, please share your ideas with Aaron at [email protected], by phone or drop into the Picton Branch Library.

-Liz Zylstra