LAPLACE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Library System is offering free tech classes to teach computer and tablet proficiency skills to adults who wish to take advantage of the vast opportunities technology offers.

Computer classes are offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each Wednesday this month at the Norris J. Millet Sr. Library, located at 2920 U.S. 51 in LaPlace.

Staff member Carly Maurin teaches attendees how to set up email and social media accounts, access the Internet using Google, operate a mouse and type documents on Microsoft Word.

Reference assistant Amanda Alexander sometimes fills in to teach classes, and she said they represent an important service.

“The class is instrumental in bridging the gap between older patrons and the younger generation,” Alexander said, noting computer skills help older adults keep abreast of changing times.

Lessons vary on a week-to-week basis so people can continue attending classes and learning new skills.

According to Alexander, some people come to the class having never touched a mouse and leave able to access applications online and help children with homework.

“The patrons I have interacted with said it has helped them tremendously,” Alexander said. “People are continuing to come, and the group is bigger than it used to be.”

The Garyville branch is offering a different tech class from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at 493 Historic Main Street.

Coordinator Lauryn Madere said it’s important to teach the older generation basic technological skills so they can stay connected to family members with the use of cell phones and social media.

Generally offered once a month, tech classes at the Garyville Library function as question-and-answer sessions focusing on tablets and e-readers, Madere said.

“It’s for anyone who has questions about how to use tablets, including iPads and Kindles,” Madere said. “It’s especially to help the older generation learn and get used to the technology that we have so they can use it to its fullest capacity.”

Patrons are welcome to ask general tech questions about cell phones, computers or basic operations such as setting up an email account.

For more information about the Garyville tech class, call 985-535-6868 and ask to speak to Madere.

To learn more about computer classes offered at the LaPlace location, call 985-652-6857 to speak to Maurin.