LIBRARIES across Somerset will be helping even more people ‘Get Online’ this October as part of a national annual event.

This will be the library service’s biggest ever participation in Get Online Week (13-18 October) following significant investment in the public access computers (the People’s Network) which were upgraded during the summer.

This year there will be more than 80 places available on courses in 17 libraries, including Burnham and Bridgwater.

Events will use the Learnmyway website to teach mouse and keyboard skills and then show learners how to find and navigate a selection of websites. These include www.firstworldwar.com, chosen as part of the national programme to commemorate the First World War.

Most libraries also offer participants the chance to book onto further courses to learn about email, online research or keeping safe online, while more advanced users can access a range of self-tuition courses including job-seeking, shopping and banking online. The library service has also recently added public access Wi-Fi to Bridgwater, Frome, Minehead, Taunton and Yeovil libraries. Free Wi-Fi is available to library members and visitors. Just ask a member of staff for details and remember your library membership number and PIN to connect to library Wi-Fi. Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said: “We upgraded our library computers for exactly this reason – to help people across Somerset get online.

“With improved computers in all libraries, and public Wi-Fi now available in five of our busiest ones, it really has never been easier to access the world wide web."

To find out more or to book a place register in person at the library where you would like to attend.