Computer and internet facilities

Brisbane City Council libraries offer free internet access and free internet and computer training courses for all library members.

Internet access

To book a computer at a library:

• use Council's computer reservation service 
• phone Council on 07 3403 8888
• phone the National Relay Service on 133 677 (or 133 NRS), a user-friendly service for people with speech impairment, hearing impairment or deafness

Wireless access 

Wireless internet access is provided to library members in all Council libraries during opening hours.

You don't need to make a booking to use the internet if you bring your wireless enabled laptop to the library.

For more information, visit the eLibCat library catalogue.

Courses

You can attend any of the following computer and internet courses at Council libraries free of charge. For times and locations of these courses, ask library staff or check the What's On in Brisbane guide and search for events by library.

Introduction to computers

This session is for beginners and will teach you the basics to get started, including how to use a mouse, a keyboard and basic computer terms.

Introduction to eLibCat

You'll need basic computer skills to learn how to get the most from eLibCat, the online library catalogue. This session includes how to effectively search the catalogues, place holds, renew items and find out what's new at Council libraries.

Introduction to the internet

This course will teach you how to use search engines and find websites. You will also be shown popular websites to browse.

Community languages internet training

Libraries offer training in a variety of community languages including Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Farsi, Serbian and Somalian. Bi-lingual library staff and Council trained community workers conduct the sessions.

Discover email

This session will show first time email users how to use email to keep in touch with friends and family.

Advanced internet searching

This course covers searching strategies and techniques. You'll find it useful if you've experienced frustration with the time it can take to find the information you want online.

LearningFast: free computer tutorials you can use at home or work

LearningFast is an initiative of Monash University that provides free online computer tutorials for popular PC applications (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

LearningFast can be accessed via eLibCat (click on the Library Information link in the top right hand corner, then Computer and internet classes, Computing and IT tutorials and select the LearningFast link).

Learning lounges

Learning lounges are an online computer based learning facility located at Brisbane Square, Chermside, Garden City and Sunnybank Hills libraries. The facility can be used by library members singly or in groups.

In a learning lounge you can:

• access online resources, including computer tutorials and full-text databases
• complete study, homework and further education
• do business, education or private research
• make job and other government or business applications
• access specialist software

Learning lounges also offer self-paced training software, such as:

• Microsoft Office, Word Perfect Office, FrontPage, Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop 
• topical packages including:
  • financial advisor
  • business planning
  • home design
  • scrap booking
  • landscaping
  • family history
  • digital imaging
  • resumes
• typing tutorials
• language tutorials in English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, Japanese and Chinese 

To book a learning lounge, enquire at the Brisbane Square, Chermside, Garden City or Sunnybank Hills library, or phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

Word processing

Word processing services are provided free to all library members and are available at all Council libraries. You can use CD/DVD-ROMs and USB memory sticks in these computers (floppy disks are no longer supported).

To book a computer, refer to internet access.