Free technology classes hosted every 4th Friday at library

As published in the Red Rock News

​Good day, Red Rock News readers! What is technology? The Oxford Dictionary defines technology as “the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life or, as it is sometimes phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment.” In other words, don’t click links or answer texts from people you don’t know.   

Starting this month, on Friday, April 22 at 3 p.m. in the Si Birch Community Room, the Library will be offering free technology classes on a wide variety of topics. We hope that these “Fourth Friday Tech Time” classes will be a great benefit to all our patrons. The first class will be on computer safety basics.  

The computer safety basics class will discuss 1) how to keep your computer and electronic devices safe; 2) create strong passwords and keep them safe (hint: 12345 is not a good password and only works for your luggage lock); 3) how to properly use a flash drive; and 4) most importantly, how to avoid being tricked into downloading or following links to unknown and possibly harmful sites. 

I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t always been the most tech savvy individual. If you asked me what the “Cloud” was I would have told you it’s a big fluffy white thing I see in the sky and not external data storage that is not on your computer. We should embrace technology in all its forms, however, in this ever-changing, fast-paced world, technology, and for that matter safely using technology, should be of utmost importance. 

Marcy Young, our Technology Librarian, will be facilitating these classes. Her bona fides in technology speak for themselves. Starting in 1999 as a Media Aide at West Sedona School Library all the way through earning her B.A. in Career and Technology Education from Northern Arizona University, Marcy has dedicated her career to helping others understand technology. At NAU she joined the Education Technology Consortium and focused on software support and training for students. We are so glad that she is now here at Sedona Public Library. 

​Registration is required for all our Fourth Friday Tech Time classes at the Main Library. In May, Marcy’s sessions will focus on Google apps, Google Drive, and managing Google accounts and security. We hope to see you there! 

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization grateful for community support. From April 6 through April 27, your gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $20,000 in celebration of Library Giving Day! Visit sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online gift! Thank you!