Free Computer Classes at the Library: Classes, Tech Help and Northstar Certificates

Written by Mustafa Bilgic, Operator Sources checked: September 25, 2026
✓ Last Updated: September 2026 | Checked against official sources by Mustafa Bilgic, Operator

Public libraries teach computer and phone skills for free, from moving a mouse to Excel and web design. You will find group classes, one-on-one help with your own device, self-paced lessons you can do at home, and Digital Navigators who help you get online. Some libraries also offer Northstar Digital Literacy, a certificate you can put on a job application. Use the finder to compare 9 large library systems and build a short learning plan.

Find free computer classes and tech help

Choose a library system to see its classes and help sessions, or choose what you need to compare libraries. The last step turns the skills you want into a list of Northstar Digital Literacy modules, the free lessons many libraries use.

Choose a library to see what it offers and how to sign up.

What do you need?

Choose a type of help to compare libraries.

What do you want to learn?

Tick the tasks you want to learn to see the matching Northstar modules.

Six kinds of free tech help at the library

  • One-on-one help with your own device. Bring your phone, tablet or laptop and your questions. Multnomah County Library in Portland holds drop-in sessions with a library tech helper, Denver Public Library has Drop In Tech Help and appointments, and Boston Public Library books one-on-one 30-minute appointments in its Open Tech Lab. DC Public Library calls its device class Techy Tuesdays.
  • Beginner classes. Start from zero. DC Public Library's Computer Comfort Practice Series covers the mouse, the keyboard and going online, and Denver's free classes run from moving a mouse to building a website. New York Public Library's TechConnect lists more than 100 free classes in the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, some in languages other than English.
  • Software classes. Cuyahoga County Public Library near Cleveland teaches Word, Excel and PowerPoint from basics to advanced, plus Adobe programs, Canva and Google Apps. DC Public Library adds Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva and a web design class.
  • Northstar Digital Literacy. A standard set of online lessons and assessments that many libraries use. Northstar says its assessments measure basic skills in 18 areas, and that certificates and digital badges come from passing them in a proctored setting at a Northstar location. Some Cuyahoga County classes include an optional Northstar assessment.
  • Self-paced lessons. Libraries point to free tutorials such as GCFGlobal (LearnFree), DigitalLearn and Typing.com, and give free access with a library card to LinkedIn Learning and, at some libraries, Udemy.
  • Digital Navigators. Free, ongoing help with the bigger picture. Denver's Digital Navigators help you find low-cost internet and affordable devices, learn beginner skills, stay safe online and use a mobile device. DC Public Library has them at six locations, and Cuyahoga County offers one-on-one help through its Digital Navigators.
LibraryOne-on-one helpBeginner classesSoftware classesNorthstarSelf-pacedDigital Navigators
New York Public LibraryYesYesYes
Boston Public LibraryYesYesYesYes
DC Public LibraryYesYesYesYes
Seattle Public LibraryYesYesYes
King County Library SystemYesYesYes
Denver Public LibraryYesYesYesYes
Cuyahoga County Public LibraryYesYesYesYes
Multnomah County LibraryYes
Indianapolis Public LibraryYesYes

"Yes" means the library's own page lists it. Checked September 25, 2026; the finder shows the date and source for each of the 9 systems.

How to sign up, and what the rules are

Rules differ, so read the class listing first. Denver's technology classes are free with no registration, and Boston says its classes need no registration unless the listing says otherwise. Cuyahoga County Public Library is stricter: classes are for adults 18 and older, registration is required, you can sign up online or by calling the host branch up to 30 days ahead, and virtual classes run on Zoom and need a valid email address. It also says classes start promptly, and seats are not held for people who arrive after an in-person class begins.

For one-on-one help, bring the device you want help with: DC Public Library asks you to bring your own devices to its device help class. For Digital Navigators, call or email first: DC asks you to call the library for availability, and Denver takes appointments online, by email or by phone.

If you cannot get to a class, library computers are there too. Multnomah County Library lets anyone use its computers for four hours per day. See our guides to library computer access and Wi-Fi hotspot lending.

Northstar certificates: what they are and how to earn one

Northstar Digital Literacy defines basic computer skills and tests them with online, self-guided assessments. The modules listed by Seattle Public Library and Indianapolis Public Library are grouped into three sets:

  • Essential computer skills: Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics, Using Email, Windows and Mac OS.
  • Essential software skills: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Docs.
  • Using technology in daily life: Social Media, Information Literacy, Career Search Skills, Your Digital Footprint, Supporting K-12 Distance Learning and, at Indianapolis, Accessing Telehealth Appointments.

You can practice at home. Seattle says a free Northstar learner account needs only your name and email address, and Indianapolis has you register through a home branch. Indianapolis also lists Spanish versions for many assessments and lessons. To earn a certificate, pass the assessment at a proctored session: Indianapolis asks for a score of 85% or above, and Cuyahoga County says a certificate can show proficiency or serve as a credential for employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are computer classes at the library free?

Yes, at the libraries we checked. New York Public Library's TechConnect classes, Denver Public Library's technology classes and Cuyahoga County Public Library's computer classes are all listed as free, and Denver says its Digital Navigators offer free, ongoing help.

Do I need to register for library computer classes?

It depends on the library. Denver's classes need no registration and Boston's need none unless the listing says so, but Cuyahoga County requires registration for every class and lets you sign up up to 30 days ahead.

Can someone at the library help me with my phone?

Yes. Multnomah County Library, Denver Public Library and King County Library System hold tech help sessions, Boston offers 30-minute one-on-one appointments, and DC Public Library's device help class covers phones, tablets, laptops, Chromebooks and Kindles.

What is Northstar Digital Literacy?

It is a set of online lessons and assessments for basic computer skills that many libraries use. Northstar says its assessments cover 18 areas, and you earn a certificate by passing one in a proctored session at a Northstar location.

What is a Digital Navigator?

A person at the library who gives free, ongoing one-on-one help. Denver Public Library says its Digital Navigators help you find low-cost internet and affordable devices, learn beginner skills, stay safe online and use a mobile device.

Are there computer classes for seniors?

Many library classes start at the very beginning, such as DC Public Library's Computer Comfort Practice Series on the mouse and keyboard. King County Library System also lists a Tech Support for Older Adults session.

Related Library Guides

Library Computer Access Libraries With Computers Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending Free LinkedIn Learning Free English Classes at the Library Library High School Diploma

Sources

Every rule, fee and figure on this page comes from the official page listed here. We read each one on September 25, 2026. New York, Boston and King County block automated requests from our server, so we read archived copies of their pages from 2026.