Develop your digital skills for free

Barnet Libraries are pleased to offer a range of IT support to help improve your digital skills.

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 2024/2025

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

Beginners Plus Computing Course

Beginners Plus Computing Course covers Microsoft Word, the Internet, and email. It is suitable for beginners and those looking to refresh their basic IT skills.

Course length: 6 weeks.

Colindale Library: Thursday, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Hendon Library: Wednesday, 10am - 12pm

Improvers Computing Course

Improvers Computing Course covers Microsoft Word, Excel, the Internet, and email. It is suitable for improvers and those with a basic knowledge of IT.

Course length: 10 to 11 weeks.

Colindale Library: Thursday, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Hendon Library: Wednesday, 10am - 12pm

For more information, please phone 020 8266 4000 and ask for 'Computing Community Classes' or email community.classes@barnetsouthgate.ac.uk stating the course required or ask a member of library staff during staffed hours.

Students need to be aged 19 and over and be a resident in the UK or meet eligibility criteria.

For more information visit the Barnet and Southgate College website.

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.