Digital Skills Instruction

Introduction to Technology Series – Each course will be held twice for increased availability. This series was funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Drop-in Tech Help – Teen Space – No registration required

Tuesday, August 11  from 3:30-6:00 pm

Thursday, August 13 from 2:00-4:00 pm

Do you have a few quick questions about technology? Would you like to learn how to use apps like Libby or Kanopy? Drop in and speak with Charlton Library’s Digital Skills Instructor and get the specific support you need. If you will need more than 15 minutes of tech help, please make a one-on-one appointment. 

One-on-One Tech Help – Local History Room – Registration required

Wednesday, August 12 at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm
Thursday, August 13 at 4:00 or 5:00 pm

Do you have a more complicated question than we can cover during Drop-in Tech Help? Would you like to learn some basic email or internet skills? Make a one-on-one appointment with the Charlton Library’s Digital Skills Instructor for up to 60 minutes of dedicated support. 

*We cannot assist with setting up a new device; fixing/restoring/repairing a broken or infected device, app, or email account; entering sensitive information for you (e.g., credit card information, social security number, online banking, etc.); keyboarding, typing, or proofreading documents. We cannot provide medical, legal, or business advice or opinions.

Creating a Budget Tracker through Google Sheets
Tuesday, August 11 at 2:30-3:30 pm OR Thursday, August 13 at 6:00-7:00 pm
Local History Room – Registration required
Take control of your finances with this beginner-friendly workshop designed to help you build a fully functional budget tracker using Google Sheets. Whether you’re new to spreadsheets or just starting your personal finance journey, this workshop will guide you step-by-step through creating a simple, organized, and customizable budgeting system. You’ll learn how to set up income and expense categories, use basic formulas to automate calculations, and design a clean, easy-to-use layout. By the end of the course, you’ll have your own personalized budget tracker that helps you monitor spending, identify savings opportunities, and make more informed financial decisions. No prior experience with spreadsheets is required—just a willingness to learn and a desire to better manage your money.

Email Features
Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00-7:00 pm OR Wednesday, August 12 at 10:30-11:30 am
Local History Room – Registration required
Learn the essential skills to use email confidently and safely in this beginner-friendly workshop. Participants will explore common features found across all email platforms, including sending messages, adding attachments, creating signatures, and setting up away messages. The session will also cover how to recognize and avoid spam and phishing emails, helping you protect your personal information online. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to build stronger digital communication skills, this workshop includes guided instruction and hands-on practice in a supportive environment.

Websites and Online Presence
Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00-7:30 pm – Dexter Hall – Registration appreciated
This is the fifth part of a six part beginner-friendly workshop series designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs build a professional, safe, and effective digital presence. Participants will learn practical digital skills including branding, websites, AI tools, online visibility, cybersecurity awareness, and social media integration. Learn how to plan an effective and user-friendly business website. Topics Include: What makes a successful small business website, Website build options, Mobile-first design practices, Sitemaps and wireframing, Effective calls to action, Beginner SEO and AEO and search visibility basics, Contact forms, FAQs and booking integrations and Domain ownership and website hosting

You, Me and AI: Exploring Mental Health, Connections, and Boundaries
Wednesday, August 12, 2:00-4:00 pm – Community Meeting Room – registration required
What happens when AI becomes a friend, a tutor, a therapist, a co-worker? Come find out in this hands-on workshop led by Joint Family. In this session, we’ll test the limitations and capabilities of popular AI tools and how they’re quietly reshaping the way we connect with technology and each other. We’ll explore the support gaps they’re filling, where we need to draw boundaries and why real world human connections matter more than ever. No prior experience with AI necessary. Open to ages 18 and up.

Using the Google Gemini App
Monday, August 17 at 12:30-2:00 pm -Local History Room- Registration required
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll practice chatting with Google Gemini using the mobile app. We’ll go over tips for writing effective questions, or prompts, as well as different use cases, from drafting emails to travel planning. We’ll also practice using the app’s voice features, including Gemini Live. Finally, we’ll explore the privacy settings and discuss best practices to ensure you can use the app safely and confidently. This is for people ages 60 and up. This Senior Planet from AARP class is being offered through the Senior Planet licensing program.

Using the iPhone for Health and Emergencies
Tuesday, August 18 at 12:30—1:30 pm -Community Meeting Room – Registration required
In this class, we explore how the iPhone can help in different emergency situations and offer insight into our health. We learn how to set up emergency contacts, use the SOS feature, turn on voice activation, and use the Health app to find patterns and changes in our physical health.

Organize Your Digital Files So You Can Find Things Again
Tuesday, August 18 at 6:00-7:30 pm -Community Meeting Room – Registration appreciated
Computers, phones, and tablets make it easy to store information—but without a clear system, digital files can quickly become difficult to find. Documents, downloads, photos, and email messages accumulate until searching for something becomes frustrating. ​This non-technical presentation focuses on simple ways to organize digital information so it’s easier to locate when needed. Susan McCarthy shares practical strategies for managing files, organizing folders, handling email, and saving useful information online. Participants learn techniques that can be applied to almost any device or operating system. A downloadable handout provides additional ideas for organizing digital information at home.

Connecting Your Digital Ecosystem
Tuesday, August 18 at 6:00-7:30 pm– Dexter Hall – Registration required
This is the last part of a six part beginner-friendly workshop series designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs build a professional, safe, and effective digital presence. Participants will learn practical digital skills including branding, websites, AI tools, online visibility, cybersecurity awareness, and social media integration. Learn how to connect your website, Google presence, and social media platforms into a cohesive digital strategy. Topics Include: Setting up and optimizing Google Business Profile, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram best practices, town pages, Interlinking, and connecting websites and social media accounts, Basic content planning strategies, Understanding analytics and meaningful metrics, Identifying fake engagement and social media scams and Maintaining consistency across digital platforms.

Creating an AI Agent with Gemini
Monday, August 24, 12:30-2:00 pm – Local History Room – registration required
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll introduce Google Gemini’s version of a custom AI agent, known as a gem. We’ll explore Gemini’s premade gems that can help with writing, learning, brainstorming, and more. Then, you’ll learn how to create a new gem from scratch for your specialized requests. We’ll also cover tips and best practices for testing, refining, and using gems. Please note that you must have your Google (Gmail) username and password to sign in to Gemini. This session is designed for people who are already somewhat familiar with AI chatbots. This is for people ages 60 and up. This Senior Planet from AARP class is being offered through the Senior Planet licensing program.

iPhone Essentials: Control Center and Files
Tuesday, August 25 at 12:30—1:30 pm -Community Meeting Room – Registration required
This class covers essential features included in the iPhone and iPad. We learn to use tools such as a flashlight, timer, calculator, and alarm. We also explore the Files app, where we can scan documents and organize files.

This project was funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds.