Every Wednesday morning, reference librarian Nick Taylor of the Fort Lee Public Library teaches a class of one to three students. The class  is of critical importance to some amid the growing technological demands of the modern era. And according to the reference librarian, the average age groups for his classes are 40 to 45 and 60 to 65. 

What does Taylor teach that is of such relevance to this age group in today’s technology age? For the past 10 years, the Fort Lee Public Library has provided Fort Lee residents with basic instruction on working a computer and the Internet. Taylor, carrying on the legacy of  librarians who came before him, is assisting each student on communicating more conventionally (given the times) and more conveniently.

“For people who haven’t touched a computer in their lives or are still beginners, they want to learn how to use email and look up information on the Internet,” Taylor said.

Providing the service at no charge, Taylor teaches not only the skills of searching book catalogues or nonfiction shelves, but also Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. The fact that Taylor is receiving more and more inquiries by the week is indicative of people's recognition of computers as a necessary means of communication and information.

“Although I don’t formally advertise, I put out signs at the reference desk for anyone looking to learn computers,” Taylor said. “Now that more are inquiring from past students, it’s more of a word-of-mouth.”

The course Taylor teaches is single-level and one-off. It is intended for students who have never touched a keyboard or mouse or for those have experienced difficulty with basic computer skills. One class, and Taylor turns his students loose to learn more on their own.

“I would say that the course is efficient, showing people the practicalities of a computer,” Taylor said. “But we are just teaching the foundations in one session instead of a continuation process.”

Teaching the basics of a keyboard, certain software and an Internet browser, Taylor said he teaches his pupils through a hands-on approach.

“How I structure it is everyone gets a chance at the keyboard,” he said. “I keep the lectures to a minimum with hands on the keyboard and mouse instead of just listening.”

If a Fort Lee resident or library patron does not have computer access at home, to further their knowledge and practice after attending one of Taylor’s classes, the Fort Lee Public Library provides nine public computers in its reference section.

Although Taylor's class teaches basics on working keyboards, moving the cursor with the mouse and web browsing, it also teaches more than just these practicalities. It teaches community residents, regardless of their age, to adapt to today’s primary technology and keep up with the times.

“When I applied for the position as reference librarian, the computer class was one of the duties I was expected to do,” Taylor said. “Signing people up for email accounts and having received no negative feedback from past students, this amounted to one of the most enjoyable parts in the job.”

The Fort Lee Public Library is located at 320 Main St. in Fort Lee. For more information on computer instruction at the library, visit the reference desk, or call 201-592-3615.