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Are you over 16 years of age and interested in learning a new skill or brushing up on your existing knowledge? Want to get to grips with a new computer? We can help you learn how to:

• search and shop on the internet
• use email to keep in touch
• practise for your driving theory test
• practise for the UK Citizenship test
• master a new language
• improve your everyday skills for business or personal use

Computer courses

Courses are available in your local library suitable for most levels, from our popular Getting Started with the Internet computing class for the complete beginner, to recognised accredited qualifications such as the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).

Computer courses leading to qualifications

ECDL

Studying for a recognised qualification can be a fun challenge and can improve your CV if you're a jobseeker. We currently offer three courses which lead to a formal certificate from the British Computer Society (BCS):

• European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
• ECDL Essentials
• ECDL Individual Modules

You can study any of the three ECDL courses at Barrhead, Clarkston, Mearns or Neilston Libraries.

Informal computer courses

If you have never used a computer before, have a little knowledge or are just not interested in a qualification why not try one of our informal classes.

Getting Started with the Internet

This introduction to the Internet is a tutor-led course for complete beginners, covering:

• browsing websites
• searching for information
• printing from the Internet
• creating a list of favourite websites
• security issues

Getting Started with Email

This course assumes some previous basic knowledge of using the Internet.  It is tutor-led and covers:

• creating an online email account
• creating, sending, replying to, forwarding and opening emails
• attaching a file to an email
• printing an email
• signing in and out of an email account
• security issues

Internet for Personal Use 

This course assumes some previous knowledge of using the Internet.  it is tutor-led covering:

• online shopping
• online supermarket shopping
• online bookings, payments and registrations
• holidays and travel
• online council services
• online security issues

Using IT for Employment 

This course assumes basic internet skills and some computer experience in Word and creating files. It is tutor-led and covers:

• searching and applying for jobs online
• downloading job application forms online
• uploading a CV to a jobs website
• attaching a CV to an e-mail message
• awareness of social media for employment
• awareness of appropriate use of e-mail for employment
• how to use Universal Jobmatch

Course duration for the informal computer courses listed above is one and a half hours a week for three weeks. 

ITplus courses

An ITplus course is a short learning session designed to plug gaps in your ICT knowledge and is suitable for those who already have some computer skills. Each course is a self-contained lesson and is tutor-led. Course topics include:

• Computer and online safety
• Scanning and attaching files to emails
• Creating address labels in Word
• Downloading and editing digital images

Course duration for each self-contained ITplus course is one and a half hours.  

How to get started

If you would like to discuss which of these courses would best suit your needs or if you want to know where and when the classes take place or how much they cost please contact your local library - they will arrange an appointment for you to talk informally with an advisor.

For details of your local library go to Your local library in the Related pages area. 

Prices

What does ILA eligible mean?

The full cost of the ECDL course can be greatly reduced, or in some cases completely covered, if you apply for a Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Individual Learning Account (ILA). This is a scheme run by the Scottish Government that you can apply to for help with funding for any ILA eligible course.

Please note that ECDL Essentials and ECDL Individual Modules do not qualify for SDS ILA funding.

For more information on SDS ILA funding go to My World of Work in the External websites area.

Want to volunteer in ICT?

Do you have ICT skills you want to share? Why not apply to be a volunteer ICT tutor or an ECDL support volunteer? For more information go to the Volunteering in learning page from the Related pages area.

Courses in other subjects

Driving theory test

Theory Test Pro is a highly realistic online simulation which is free to members of East Renfrewshire Libraries. You'll be able to access the DSA's official test questions for cars, motorcycles, PCVs, LGVs and hazard perception clips and an online version of the Highway Code.

For more information go to the External websites area. 

GoCitizen.co.uk

GoCitizen is an online study resource for candidates preparing for the Life in the UK Test or British citizenship test. The service includes an online version of the latest official study materials licensed from the Home Office, the people who write the handbook, plus hundreds of practice test questions in the same format as the official test.

GoCitizen from your library

Access is completely free for residents who drop in to any East Renfrewshire Community Library.

GoCitizen from your home

Members of East Renfrewshire Community Libraries can also access it free from outside the libraries using their library card number.

For more information go to the External websites area. 

Languages

Foreign language courses on cassette or CD-ROM are available for loan from your local library. Languages include everything from French and German to Urdu and Cantonese. These items are free to borrow. Search our library catalogue to see what's available.

To search the library catalogue go to Search for books and more in the Related pages area. 

For more information on community languages go to the Related pages area.

Adult and Continuing Education

You may want to visit the website for Adult and Continuing Education at the University of Glasgow which has many courses suitable for adults. Please go the the External websites area and click the link to find out more.