RAILS Training Material

The material provided here was developed by members of Computer Class Instructors group of RAILS- Reaching Across Illinois Library Systems, and may be reused with attribution, under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike.

New technology trends may affect library services and programming. Here are resources that members of RAILS use to stay abreast.

KrebsOnSecurity – an independent journalist who does an excellent job reporting on infosec issues such as data breaches and security flaws in hardware and software. The other two also have great video game reviews and non-tech related articles that are not only good news information, but can also inspire other PR/Programming that may or may not affect technology.
Computers in Libraries Magazine offers a solid roundup of useful websites and social media tools that can translate into class ideas.
Library Journal for library-related sources.
Wired magazine for trends and interesting tech new.
CNET and PC Magazine for reviews, ratings and information about products and software
Social Media Examiner is useful for gleaning important updates and tutorials on social media quickly.
Google News’s technology section

Topics for which course material is available are:

Android

iCanUseMyAndroidTablet (word doc)
AndroidPhoneTip-sheet (PDF), Mount Prospect Public Library

Building a PC

Building a PC from Gail Borden Public Library District. This package includes Design documents, handouts, and presentation material. It includes a version tailored for youth (third-grade to middle school students)
Build a PC handout from Elmhurst Public Library

Canva

From Vernon Area public library:

Canva Handout (docx)
Canva course design document (docx)

Cell Phone Photography

Cell Phone Photography (PDF) Indian Trails Public Library District
Make the Most of your iPod’s Camera (Presentation & Handout) Crystal Lake Library

Cloud

What is The Cloud (PowerPoint), Cook Memorial Public Library
It’s in the Clouds (PowerPoint), Mount Prospect Public Library
The Cloud Handout (PDF)
Cloud Storage 101, Indian Prairie Library

Chromebook (Crystal Lake Public Library)

Meet the Chromebook Design Document (Word)
Meet the Chromebook Presentation (PowerPoint)
Chromebook Instruction Sheet (Word)

Cutting the Cable

How To Stream Movies And More (PowerPoint), Mount Prospect Public Library
Cut the Cable (PowerPoint), Vernon Area Public Library District
Cut the Cable Class Handout (Word), Vernon Area Public Library District
Cutting The Cable Cord (PowerPoint), Crystal Lakes Public Library
Cutting The Cable Cord -Summary of Options Handout (Word), Crystal Lakes Public Library
Cutting the Cord Presentation (PowerPoint), Cook Memorial Public Library
Cutting the Cable Cord handout (Word), Cook Memorial Public Library

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity- Keeping Your Computers & Devices Safe, Gail Borden Public Library District: Design Document, Presentation, Handouts

Excel

Basic-Excel-2013-V2-022015 (Word), Northbrook Public Library
Intermediate-Excel-2013-V2-022015 (Word), Northbrook Public Library
AdvanExcel-2013 (Word), Northbrook Public Library
AdvanExcel-2013-2 (Word), Northbrook Public Library

iPad

Outline for I can Use my iPAD, from Mount Prospect Public Library. (PDF format. MS-Word available upon request from pbdd.org)

Linked In

Class from Niles-Maine District Library. MS-Word versions of design document and handouts upon request from pbdd.org)

Macbook

Apple stores offer classes, and will sometimes bring their class to a remote site
Mac Basics Handout (Word), Vernon Area Public Library
Mac Basics Handout (PDF), Vernon Area Public Library
Mac handout (PDF) Mount Prospect Public Library
Mac Pocket Handout (PDF), Glencoe Public Library

Photoshop Elements

PhotoshopBasics-PowerPoint Elmhurst Public Library
PhotoshopBasics-Handout Elmhurst Public Library
Photoshop Elements 14 Part 1 (Word), Vernon Area Public Library
Photoshop Elements 14 Part 2 (Word), Vernon Area Public Library
Files for practice:

Image 1

Image 2

Photoshop Essentials

From Indian Trails Library:

(docx files available upon request from pbdd.org)

Photoshop Restoration