DOWAGIAC — Decades into the digital age, most have witnessed scenes of endless symbols, letters and numbers illuminated in neon colors on a black screen. To the average eye, web coding may look like a foreign language.

Nonetheless, every website, e-newsletter, mobile app and Facebook game is made up of these attributes before becoming the colorful images and animations users see before them. While the process may seem daunting, Dowagiac Library Director Matt Weston advises that basic coding practices are not as intimidating as one may think.

As such, Weston set out to offer an opportunity for adults to learn the skill, setting aside “An Hour of Code” each Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Dowagiac District Library, 211 Commercial St., Dowagiac.

“The idea is that you come in for an hour and you start practicing coding by doing little projects or by creating a webpage,” Weston said.

Those interested in learning to code may use one of the library’s four Chromebooks or bring their own computer and learn the process through Codecademy, a virtual site that walks various levels of coders through the process of generating code. While the website is free to use anywhere, Weston said there is value in working on projects in the company of others.

Also at the library, participants may show off their work on the big screen projector to gather input from others at the library.

“A lot of schools have done [An Hour of Code],” Weston said. “They try to get the kids to code for an hour as an interesting skill to learn. I thought maybe adults would like it to.”

Weston said An Hour of Code is a free drop-in program that does not demand any sort of commitment from participants. Those who attend are free to come and go as they please.

The library director said there is a common misconception that basic web design is an impossible feat.

“I don’t think [coding] is very difficult, especially when you approach it step by step,” he said, explaining that Codecademy walks users through in small pieces. “It very clearly shows you how to make something appear in a certain way and why it’s the same.”

Weston said he created the event as a way to satisfy the curiosity of people who wonder how websites are built, but also to offer a platform for professionals to learn how to participate in an ever-growing web-first world.

“It’s definitely a good skill to have in the job market,” Weston said. “I imagine it would be a good skill to put on your resume, even if you aren’t going into a tech field. Perhaps you’re going into marketing and need to know how to put together a basic newsletter or website.”

After hearing of interest from young adults about An Hour of Code, Weston has opened the weekly event to both teenagers and adults. Weston also welcomes experts in the coding field to share their expertise with novice coders at the library.

“Even if someone has experience and wants to participate, I’m interested in sharing that opportunity,” Weston said.