Atwater Library and Computer Centre

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP on Using Government Services Online — Liz Perrin, our most experienced instructor, showed how to access information online about government services — health, housing, retirement income and rights. This workshop was designed to be useful to seniors and their caregivers, and newcomers to Canada.

TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Kim Sawchuk, Concordia Communications Studies Professor and Principal Investigator of the ACT team, shared results of her work with seniors and digital technology. She told stories of seniors making practical and creative uses of computers and cell phones. Q&A and refreshments.

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: Lynn Bennett, Certified Financial Planner, and Liz Perrin, computer instructor, showed how to file an income tax return online. The workshop included an overview of the new provisions of 2018 federal and provincial income tax laws for seniors — changes from last year.

THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 — 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Luke Stark explained Artificial Intelligence (AI) for non-techies. He separated  hype from the reality and showed how AI is more about searching for cat photos online or scheduling work shifts than it is about HAL900 or Commander Data. He also gave an overview of the history of the human fascination with creating artificial beings, and why that fantasy can sometimes get in the way of a clear-eyed view of the real impacts digital technologies are having on our everyday lives.

TUESDAY, April 9, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: Lynn Bennett, Certified Financial Planner, and a computer instructor show how to file an income tax return online. The workshop includes an overview of the new provisions of 2018 federal and provincial income tax laws for seniors — changes from last year.
Participants are welcome to bring their own device.

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP on Buying a Computer, Tablet or Smartphone —  Liz Perrin gives a FREE overview of all the issues you need to consider to make sure you get the device that is right for you. Q&A.

TUESDAY, May 28, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP on Digital Basics — Liz Perrin and Richard Cassidy give a FREE overview of the computer skills you may want to learn or improve on. Q&A.

THURSDAY, June 6 — 12:30 to 1:30 pm

For the Atwater Library Lunchtime Series, Karen Molson gives an illustrated presentation on Sir John A. Macdonald’s summer residence near Rivière du Loup, and discusses the process of creating an exhibition about it for the Virtual Museum of Canada.

THURSDAY, June 6 — 1:30 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP on Virtual Museums and Online Exploration: Immediately following Karen Molson’s presentation, Liz Perrin leads a hands-on tour of some of the most renowned museum collections, the most famous landmarks and neighbourhoods, and furthest reaches of outer space. Learn where the internet can take you without even leaving home.
We can supply tablets but encourage participants to bring their own devices.

WEDNESDAY, June 19 — 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Victoria Slonosky, McGill University researcher and author of Climate in the Age of Empire: Weather Observers in Colonial Canada, paints a picture of 18th and 19th century people whose handwritten weather observations are helping us better understand the nature and extent of climate change today. Q&A. Attendees are encouraged to stay for the workshop immediately following (details below).

WEDNESDAY, June 19 — 1:30 to 3:30 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP in collaboration with McGill University’s DRAW (Data Rescue: Archives & Weather) project: Rachel Black shows how you can contribute to Citizen Science by entering handwritten weather records taken in Montreal between 1874-1953 into an online database. Help safeguard this legacy of historical information so researchers can better define how our climate is changing today.

TUESDAY, July 9, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: Liz Perrin shows how to take control of the SETTINGS and PREFERENCES on your smartphones and tablets, for accessibility, security, and convenience. Participants may use their own device or one of our tablets.

TUESDAY, September 10, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP on Protecting Yourself Online: Liz Perrin shows how to be more aware of where you are and what you are doing online in order to better protect yourself and your information. Participants may use their own device or one of our tablets.

TUESDAY, September 24, 2019 — 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Stephen Monteiro, a media and culture scholar at Concordia University, discusses the monetizing of our online behaviors: “How other people make money from what we say and do on the Internet.” Discussion with Q&A.

THURSDAY, October 3, 2019 — 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Fenwick McKelvey, Internet Researcher, Associate Professor, Concordia University, discusses how social media and the Internet are affecting political discourse. With discussion and Q&A.

TUESDAY, October 8, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP on Spotting Fake News: With the federal election approaching, join us for activities and discussions that will allow you to see the difference between what is really fake and simply surprising information. With instructor Liz Perrin.
Participants may use their own device or one of the Library’s tablets.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION is required: Richard Cassidy: 514-935-7344 or richard@atwaterlibrary.ca.

TUESDAY, November 12, 2019 — 1:00 to 3:00 pm

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP on Apps: Instructor Liz Perrin shows you applications, settings and websites helpful for travel planning, scheduling and many other practical uses.

Participants may use their own device or one of the Library’s tablets.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION is required: Richard Cassidy: 514-935-7344 or richard@atwaterlibrary.ca.

TUESDAY, November 26, 2019 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Denise Ouellet, unit manager at Ste. Anne’s Hospital for Veterans, tells heartwarming tales of residents connecting with loved ones living far away through the hospital’s award-winning Skype project. Discussion with Q&A.