Develop your digital skills for free

Barnet Libraries IT Support service is here to help with your IT questions. We can give advice and support on IT queries such as basic computer skills, online shopping, digital accessibility, accessing council and library resources and online safety.

How to use the IT Support Service

You can contact us by email or telephone on 020 8359 4913 and leave a message on our answerphone.

Tell us what you need help with. Please be as specific as possible.

Please include your name, contact details, phone number and email address.

We will respond to you within 72 hours.

Digital skills drop ins and training 

Bring your own device to one of our digital drop-in sessions for help and advice or use one of the library computers to get support.

Find details of your nearest digital skills session.

Library courses with Barnet and Southgate College

Barnet and Southgate College courses run at Colindale and Hendon libraries.

Beginners Plus Computing Course

A basic introduction to the computer, including Microsoft Word, Internet and email.

Course length: 6 weeks.

Class time: 2 hours per week.

Improvers Computing Course

Microsoft Word, Excel and Internet; including email, shopping, job search, internet forms and security.

Course length: 10 to 11 weeks.

Class time: 2 hours per week.

Introduction to Excel Course

Please enquire as these courses may not always be running.

An introduction to Excel, including data entry, calculations and formulas. A further follow-on course may be available including sorting, filtering and graphs/charts.

Course length: 6 weeks.

Class time: 2 hours per week.

Barnet and Southgate College courses are run at Colindale and Hendon libraries.

For more information visit the Barnet and Southgate College website, email Barnet and Southgate College or call 020 8266 4000 and ask for computing community classes.

Online courses

Learn My Way is a website of free online learning for beginners, helping you develop digital skills to make the most of the online world.

We have selected some online courses to help improve your digital skills online. These range from help for beginners to more advanced levels.

Please note that you will need to create a Learn My Way account in order to access the full range of free courses below.

Using your device

Course topics include basic and advanced touchscreen controls, using a mouse and keyboard, solving basic computer problems, using programs and managing files. 

Access using your device course topics 

Starting to use the internet

Course topics include navigating websites, using search engines, staying safe online, filling in online forms, avoiding scams and socialising online.

Access starting to use the internet course topics 

Using email

Course topics include creating an email account, sending and receiving emails, safety and security and avoiding online scams.

Access using email course topics

Safety and security online

Course topics include the basics of online safety, online behaviours, meeting online friends, dealing with online scams, keeping devices safe, locking your phone, protecting and backing up your information and moving around websites.

Access safety and security online course topics

Staying in touch

Course topics include video calling with Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Facetime and Skype, using social media, making friends online, avoiding scams and staying safe online.

Access staying in touch course topics

Spending money online

Course topics include the basics of shopping online, visiting an online shop, buying things online and customer rights.

Access spending money online course topics

Online entertainment

Course topics include watching TV programmes on the internet, watching videos on YouTube, listening to music online and visiting an online shop. 

Access online entertainment course topics

Working with office programs

Course topics include an overview of office programs, the basics of documents, spreadsheets, creating presentations and more office advanced program functions.

Access working with office programs course topics

Employment and work

Course topics include searching for jobs online, applying for jobs online, job sites, checking your skills and how to find help getting a job.

Access employments and work course topics

Managing your health online

Course topics include registering with your GP's website, booking an appointment, ordering a repeat prescription, accessing your online health records and searching for information and advice on health.

Access managing your health online course topics

Managing your money online

Course topics include an introduction to mobile banking, registering for online banking, bank accounts, making a budget, managing money, information on benefits and claiming Universal credit. 

Access managing your money online course topics

Digital skills for business and careers

Grow your career or business at your own pace, with flexible and personalised training courses designed to build your confidence and help you thrive.

If you already run or work for a small business or want to start your own, you can learn about:

• building a website
• connecting with email
• search engine optimisation
• web analytics
• marketing your business online
• social media
• expanding internationally
• building an online shop
• using video

You can access the Google Digital Garage platform from home or from our library computers.

An initial diagnostic session will help determine which lessons to take, although you can take as many lessons as you want. This can be spread out over multiple sessions anywhere with a connection to the internet. Each lesson consists of a short video and a review which take about 5 minutes.