Library tailors free coding classes to teens and kids

For many, summer is filled with swimming, reading and farmers markets. At the Lee Road Library, summer means opportunities for people of all ages to code with the new Summer of Code program.

Alyse Giannotti and Ann MacNamara, technology trainers at the Lee Road Library, have collaborated to bring Summer of Code to the community. The pair have been working together for the past year teaching Coding Basics, a four-part quarterly series, to adults.

During that time, they noticed an increasing number of teens and children were taking the adult Coding Basics classes, and realized they needed to reach a new audience..

“There has definitely been a growing need and interest from teens and young kids,” said Giannotti. “Our Coding Basics series always has a wait list. We once had an 8-year old come in with her grandmother and attend the course.”

“We also get young teens, about 12 and 13,” added MacNamara. “We see a huge diversity in our classes. It’s not uncommon to see a 12-year-old, a 17-year-old, and a 50-year-old working alongside each other learning the basics of HTML.”

The Summer of Code will offer three unique coding course series tailored to kids, teens and adults. This provides more opportunities for individuals interested in learning to code.

“By expanding the audience for these programs to teens and kids, we’re fulfilling an important part of our mission,” said Nancy Levin, Heights Libraries director. “We strive to offer equal access to services for all members of our community.”

To kick off the Summer of Code, Giannotti will teach Web Coding for Teens on Tuesdays in June at 2:30 p.m. This is a four-week series that will teach those in grades six through 12 the basics of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP. No prior coding experience is required. Registration began May 23 and the class is expected to fill.

In July, Giannotti will debut the new "Tech for Kids: code.org" course series. In this course, those in grades one through five are invited to bring their favorite adult and explore computer coding. The class will be in the Heights Knowledge and Innovation Center (HKIC) in the Lee Road Library. Using a state-of-the-art computer lab, kids will explore computer coding using code.org. Registration begins June 26 and this class is also expected to fill.

Also in July, Lee Road Library continue its Coding Basics series. This four-part coding course for adults will be held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Led by MacNamara, adults who take this course will leave with an understanding of basic HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Registration begins June 22, and this class, too, is expected to fill.

For more information about all the classes, visit www.heightslibrary.org or call 216-932-3600.

Kara Whaley

Kara Whaley is the communications coordinator at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library System.

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Volume 10, Issue 6, Posted 7:34 PM, 06.02.2017