Technology

Billings Libraries, Schools Launch Free Digital Skills Programs

Free library and school programs expand skills training while raising issues around equitable use and online risks for local residents.

By Billings Tech Desk · Published July 24, 2026

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Billings Libraries, Schools Launch Free Digital Skills Programs — Photo by JAXPORT / flickr (by)

The Billings Public Library offers free access to Mango Languages covering 34 languages, Universal Class with more than 500 courses, CreativeBug art and craft videos, and Northstar Digital Literacy testing, all available with a library card number and email address.

These offerings arrive as residents seek ways to close gaps in internet skills and job readiness, with the library also distributing free Wi-Fi hotspot devices for curbside pickup to connect phones, tablets, and computers at home.

School and Family Programs Add Layers of Support

Billings Public Schools runs a Digital Literacy program for sixth through eighth graders at Ben Steele Middle School under the direction of Josh Haber, with department inquiries directed to 406.601.1651. The library further assembles at-home family materials that include ABDO digital bookshelves using the free username and password 2123800, PBS and Montana PBS lesson plans, Scholastic day-by-day projects, and Wise Wonders Children's Museum YouTube activities.

Universal Class and Northstar Digital Literacy issue certificates and badges that document skills in job applications and online safety, providing measurable steps for users who complete the modules.

Navigating Risks While Building Skills

Programs that address the city's digital divide also prompt questions about consistent access across neighborhoods, responsible data handling during online testing, and the balance between open resources and protection from unsafe internet practices. Certificates focus on safety topics, yet broader use of shared devices and public platforms requires users to weigh privacy choices each time they log in.

Patrons can begin with a library card at billingslibrary.org/386/Online-Learning to register for the courses and request a hotspot, allowing immediate testing of the platforms without added cost.

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