The websites on this page offer a guide to searching and using the Internet. A list of the best Internet search tools and subject guides is available to help you navigate and find things on the Internet.
Skokie Public Library has a large collection of computer books which are shelved separately on the second floor. Here you can find technical books on programming and networking along with beginner books on basic computer applications such as Microsoft Word or Windows XP.
If you are new to the Internet, then take a look at some of the online tutorials which can help you get started. The Library also provides a list of computer classes available in the Library and throughout the community.
Denotes resources suitable for students in elementary and middle grades
Web resource 
Available with Skokie Public Library card 
Available in Library only
Librarian Recommendations
These article databases and websites have been selected by librarians at Skokie Public Library as outstanding resources and good places to start a search for information about computers and the Internet.
About.com
Billed as "the Human Internet," this network of websites is run by professional guides who specialize in various areas of interest. About.com is organized into twenty-three channels containing over one million links in more than fifty thousand subjects.
Atomic Training
Atomic Training contains short videos explaining specific tasks in many of the most popular software applications in use today.
The videos may be watched in sequence like a course, or watched individually to learn a specific part of a program.
Google
This searchable and browsable Internet search engine has an index of more than one billion websites. Search results are organized using PageRank™, a system which ranks websites according to the number of times they have been linked to from other significant websites.
Internet Safety Information compiled by Skokie
Public Library
This page from the Skokie Public Library Youth Services Department provides online safety tips, tools, and web links for students, parents, and educators.
Librarians' Index to the Internet
This searchable and browsable index to Internet resources has been developed and annotated by librarians at The Library of California.
Lynda.com Online Learning Library
Lynda.com Online Learning Library provides users with access to over 800 video training courses in computer related topics such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word, iMovie, or Twitter.
Safari Books Online
Safari Books Online offers access to the full content of over 1,600 books primarily in the field of computing and information technology. You can search the electronic versions of books from leading publishers such as O'Reilly, Sams, Microsoft Press, Que, and IBM.
Skokie Public Library's Guides to Databases
The librarians of Skokie Public Library have developed guides to many of the databases in the Library's collection of resources. These guides describe the contents, main features, and typical uses of each database, and provide tips for searching.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
BroadbandReports.com
This handy website provides consumer information on DSL, cable, and other broadband Internet service providers (ISPs) throughout the country.
The List of ISPs
Use this website to find rates and ratings of Internet service providers by area code or region.
Email Accounts
An email account is a valuable tool that is easy to set up even if you don’t have Internet access at your home. Following is a guide to using email and a selection of websites that provide free and reliable online email services.
Beginning Email
This beginner's guide from About.com explains the ins-and-outs of setting up and using an email account.
Lycos Mail
Lycos Mail has no advanced features, but it can be configured to delete unsolicited bulk email (also known as "spam").
Mail.com
Mail.com allows you to choose a domain name (such as usa.com or doctor.com), but it's missing some of the security and convenience features offered by other email services.
MSN Hotmail
MSN's Hotmail service comes with great spam filtering and security features, but offers little mailbox storage space.
Yahoo! Mail
One of the best free email services, Yahoo! Mail is secure, reliable, accessible, and comes with many useful features.
LISTSERVs and Usenet Groups
Internet mailing and LISTSERV lists are email discussion groups that allow subscribers to network within a common area of interest. Discussion is usually centered around a common topic such as accounting or education. Usenet groups are topic-oriented online bulletin boards where users can discuss professional issues and interact with knowledgeable insiders.
Google Groups
Google Groups contains the entire archive of Usenet discussion groups dating back to 1981 and provides a look at evolving viewpoints, debate, and advice on every subject from politics to technology.
L-Soft CataList
Generated automatically and up-to-date, CataList provides a browsable list of over 45,000 public LISTSERV lists on the Internet.
Search Tools
Ask.com
Submit a question to this "natural language" search tool and "Jeeves" will help you find a website that has the answer.
Google
This searchable and browsable Internet search engine has an index of more than one billion websites. Search results are organized using PageRank™, a system which ranks websites according to the number of times they have been linked to from other significant websites.
Yahoo!
Yahoo! provides a powerful search engine along with a web directory and other specialized resources.
Subject Guides
About.com
Billed as "the Human Internet," this network of websites is run by professional Guides who specialize in various areas of interest. About.com is organized into twenty-three channels containing over one million links in more than 50,000 subjects.
Internet Public Library (IPL)
This annotated directory of online reference resources has been developed by Internet Public Library staff to help answer specific questions quickly and efficiently. Sources are selected according to ease of use, quality and quantity of information, frequency of updating, and authoritativeness.
LibrarySpot
The LibrarySpot directory is an organized collection of annotated links to the most helpful library and reference websites.
RefDesk.com
This excellent directory to general information on the Internet is arranged in an easy-to-read fashion.
WWW Virtual Library
The Virtual Library is billed as "the oldest catalog of the Web." The site is maintained and links are selected by volunteers with expertise in various areas of interest.
Tutorials
Software Applications
Atomic Training
Atomic Training contains short videos explaining specific tasks in many of the most popular software applications in use today.
The videos may be watched in sequence like a course, or watched individually to learn a specific part of a program.
LearningExpressLibrary.com
Based on official tests, LearningExpressLibrary.com provides online practice
examinations for the SAT, ACT, ASVAB, GED, and Civil Service careers, along
with Adult Basic Skills quizzes covering reading, grammar, and math.
Tests are scored immediately and evaluations highlight strengths and
weaknesses. Software tutorials for Microsoft Office programs are also available.
Skokie Public Library's guide to this database available
Lynda.com Online Learning Library
Lynda.com Online Learning Library provides users with access to over 800 video training courses in computer related topics such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word, iMovie, or Twitter.
Safari Books Online
Safari Books Online offers access to the full content of over 1,600 books primarily in the field of computing and information technology. You can search the electronic versions of books from leading publishers such as O'Reilly, Sams, Microsoft Press, Que, and IBM.
Mouse and Typing Guides
The first step in learning how to use a computer is learning how to use the mouse and keyboard. The tutorials listed below will teach you how the mouse and keyboard works and guide you through exercises that will help you use them easily and effectively.
Free Mouse Exercises from Investintech.com
This site contains a nice list of exercises to help learn computer mouse skills.
Mousercise
From the Central Kansas Library System in Great Bend, Kansas, this tutorial covers basic functions of mouse use, but also provides exercises you can follow to improve your new skills. You can use the Mousercise tutorial to practice and hone the same skills you learned in the New User Tutorial above.
Mousing Around
This tutorial is designed to help people who have never used a mouse before. For those of you who have never used, or are unsure of how to use, a computer mouse, try this tutorial first! In this tutorial, you will learn how to hold a mouse, the basics of moving and clicking while using the scroll bar, inserting typed words, using drop-down menus, double-clicking, dragging, and closing a computer file. The tutorial also includes further exercises to refine your skills once you've mastered the basics.
Typing Web
This tutorial is designed to help people who want to improve their typing skills. TypingWeb is a free online typing tutor and keyboarding tutorial for typists of all ages. All skill levels will benefit from TypingWeb's free keyboarding lessons.
Internet Guides
These sites can help make the most out of your time online by explaining the various aspects of the Internet and teaching you how to search for and find the things you want.
Internet Safety Information from Skokie Public Library
This page from the Skokie Public Library Youth Services Department provides online safety tips, tools, and web links for students, parents, and educators.
Internet Tutorials from University at Albany Libraries
An excellent collection of beginners' tutorials for Internet users. There are close to two dozen tutorials under the categories Using and Searching the Web, Browsers, and Software Training.
Learnthenet.com
Use this website to find guides to all aspects of Internet use including topics such as email, downloading, searching, and much more.