NILES — Sarah Skinner grew up a patron of Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St. Now, she is its information and reader’s services manager, where she teaches patrons the fundamentals of computers, computer programs and the internet for free.

Skinner is preparing for an internet basics course, which will be taught from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18 and 2 to 3:15 Friday, Nov. 22. Attendees will file into the library’s board room, where Skinner will teach them about web browsers, social media, news websites and how to tell whether a site is safe or dangerous.

Registration is encouraged but not required for the event and can be done by calling (269) 683-8545, ext. 112.

“It is something that came from patron requests or a need we saw in the lab,” Skinner said. “That’s how we’ve come up with some of our additional classes.”

Those classes include computer basics, where patrons are taught the basics of desktops and laptops; Microsoft products, where Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher are discussed; and social media, where the basics of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest and how to use them are provided.

Adult services team member Angelika Anderson has also begun hosting technological classes. On Dec. 20, she will teach patrons how to video chat on computer apps such as Facetime and Skype.

“We thought that would be a really great one this time of year, in case you can’t go home and see your family,” she said. “You can learn how to video-chat with them, and you can still see them for the holidays.”

Skinner assured that the classes are not dull. Many patrons found their pacing and content to be engaging, she said.

The classes are part of a broader effort by Niles District Library to teach patrons how to use its services offered.

People come into the library to use its computer lab, printers and copiers, for instance, but may not be familiar with certain programs, if any programs at all.

Patrons can always ask a library worker for assistance, Skinner said, but classes offer a chance for independence and more in-depth information that quick assistance cannot offer.

Book-a-Librarian is an option, too. By reserving a time to speak with a librarian about a task-specific problem, patrons can have a one-on-one meeting with a librarian about a more advanced topic not covered in a course.

For example, Skinner said a patron who had accepted a job booked a librarian to learn how to work the programs she was going to use while on the clock.

Skinner said she is open to new ideas for classes. All one needs to is run it by an information desk employee.

“I figure if one person’s asking for it, then there’s got to be a few people out there that would be interested in the class,” she said.