LEWISTON – The Lewiston Public Library has announced it will offer a summer series of free senior computer lab sessions for six weeks beginning Wednesday, July 2.

The one-on-one tutorials, which will take place each Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., are designed to assist anyone age 55 or over with learning the basics of using the Internet or to receive help with word processing or other entry-level computer functions.

The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with people invited to drop in at any time during the two-hour sessions and to attend as many as they like. No advance registration is required.

Staffing the sessions will be a team of student volunteers from the Lewiston-Auburn area, including Deanna Morency from Edward Little High School; Laura St. Pierre and Amanda Cullen from St. Dominic Regional High School; Emily Powers from Hebron Academy; and Ted Snook and Anna Snook from Cheverus High School. Recruiting the students and coordinating the lab schedule is Cathy Snook.

LPL Reference Librarian Ellen Gilliam said, “We are very pleased to be able to host the senior computer lab sessions again this summer. Last summer’s labs were well attended and it was gratifying to see how the teens and seniors worked together to teach each other; the seniors benefited from the knowledge and youthful enthusiasm of the kids, and the kids benefited from understanding the issues and learning styles of older adults while logging needed community service hours.”

Topics covered over the course of last year’s program included basic computer use as well as such online functions as how to write and send e-mail, how to use Google and other search engines, navigating on the Web, selling on eBay and how to use chat rooms and blogs.

The senior computer lab sessions will meet weekly through Aug. 6.

People of all ages are reminded that they are invited to sharpen their technology skills at a second series of free computer lab sessions, which have been ongoing at LPL since earlier this year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The community computer labs are staffed by students from Andover College, who are ready to provide informal instruction in and assistance with a number of basic computer activities, such as online job searches, resume writing, setting up e-mail accounts, learning how to use instant messaging and employing the Internet to manage personal finances online or to access information on voting or other government issues or services.

They offer pointers on how to use word-processing and spread-sheet programs, and keyboarding tutorials are also available for those looking to acquire or improve typing skills.

Both of the computer lab series will take place in LPL’s second-floor computer classroom.

More information is available by calling the LPL reference desk at 513-3135.