BEST Program offers job, computer and ESL training
The Atlantic City Free Public Library’s BEST Program — Building Employment Skills Training – provides individuals with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications in the food and beverage industries. The program also includes assistance for those looking to gain basic computer skills or improve their English (ESL).
All classes and training sessions are free. Registration is required unless noted. To register, visit the Help Desk at the Main Library (1 North Tennessee Ave.), call (609) 345-2269, ext. 3012, or click on one of the links below for an online registration form.
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JOB TRAINING FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRIES
ServSafe Certification Class
A one-day class providing food safety training, exams and educational materials to food service workers. Earn a ServSafe Certification upon completion. Register online.
Schedule: June 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab.
NEW: ServSafe Management
Certification Class
The ServSafe Manager Certification verifies that a manager or person-in-charge has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness. This is a three-day, in-person class. Receive a ServSafe Certification and wallet card upon completion. Register online
Schedule: July 8, 15, 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab.
NEW: TIPS Certification Class (online)
TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) On-Premise Alcohol Training is a dynamic, skills-based training program designed to teach safety, responsibility, and best practices to servers at restaurants, bars, hotels, in-store tastings, or other establishments where alcohol is served on the premises. The TIPS course and certification process is completely online. If you are a bartender, waiter, server, busser, valet, host or any front-of-house employee, you should be on-premise certified to prevent the misuse of alcohol and limit exposure to alcohol-related liabilities. Register online
Schedule: June 30 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab.
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COMPUTER TRAINING
Computer Skills Lab
Schedule a one-hour session with library staff to work on your computer skills. Register online.
Schedule: Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Richmond Branch Library; Fridays from 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Main Library. *Tentatively scheduled to change in June.
Walk-in Job Skills Lab
Receive assistance with job-related tasks, such as creating a resume, writing a cover letter, and searching and applying for jobs online. *Registration not required for this lab.
Schedule: May 13, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab.
Job Skills Workshops
Two-day workshops focusing on Word, Excel, PowerPoint and resumes/cover letters. Participants can earn a certificate of completion. To register, visit the Help Desk at the Main Library or call (609) 345-2269, ext. 3012.
Schedule: Word on May 9 & 11 from 2:30-5 p.m., and June 6 & 8 from 2-4 p.m.; Excel on May 16 & 18 from 2:30-5 p.m., and June 13 & 15 from 2-4 p.m.; PowerPoint on May 23 & 25 from 2:30-5 p.m., and June 20 & 22 from 2-4 p.m.; Resume & Cover Letter on May 30 & June 1 from 2:30-5 p.m.
NEW: Computer Basics
Need help with technology basics? These classes will give participants a basic understanding of the featured topic. To register, visit the Help Desk at the Main Library or call (609) 345-2269, ext. 3012.
Schedule: Mondays from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Keyboard & Mouse on June 5, Internet on June 12 and Smart Devices on June 26.
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ESL: VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON CLASSES
Classes are for non-native, English speakers. Interactive learning focusing on the listening, speaking, reading, grammar and writing skills of the students.
Virtual class. Register online.
Schedule:
Mondays, May 8, 15, 22 and June 5, 12, 26 at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays, May 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7, 14, 21, 28 at 7 p.m.
Fridays, May 12, 19, 26 and June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 10 a.m.
In-person class. Register online.
Schedule: TBA.
All classes and training sessions are free. Registration is required unless noted. To register, visit the Help Desk at the Main Library (1 North Tennessee Ave.), call (609) 345-2269, ext. 3012, or click on one of the links below for an online registration form.
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JOB TRAINING FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRIES

A one-day class providing food safety training, exams and educational materials to food service workers. Earn a ServSafe Certification upon completion. Register online.
Schedule: June 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab.
NEW: ServSafe Management
Certification Class
The ServSafe Manager Certification verifies that a manager or person-in-charge has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness. This is a three-day, in-person class. Receive a ServSafe Certification and wallet card upon completion. Register online
Schedule: July 8, 15, 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab.
NEW: TIPS Certification Class (online)
TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) On-Premise Alcohol Training is a dynamic, skills-based training program designed to teach safety, responsibility, and best practices to servers at restaurants, bars, hotels, in-store tastings, or other establishments where alcohol is served on the premises. The TIPS course and certification process is completely online. If you are a bartender, waiter, server, busser, valet, host or any front-of-house employee, you should be on-premise certified to prevent the misuse of alcohol and limit exposure to alcohol-related liabilities. Register online
Schedule: June 30 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab.
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Computer Skills Lab
Schedule a one-hour session with library staff to work on your computer skills. Register online.
Schedule: Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Richmond Branch Library; Fridays from 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Main Library. *Tentatively scheduled to change in June.
Walk-in Job Skills Lab
Receive assistance with job-related tasks, such as creating a resume, writing a cover letter, and searching and applying for jobs online. *Registration not required for this lab.
Schedule: May 13, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab.
Job Skills Workshops
Two-day workshops focusing on Word, Excel, PowerPoint and resumes/cover letters. Participants can earn a certificate of completion. To register, visit the Help Desk at the Main Library or call (609) 345-2269, ext. 3012.
Schedule: Word on May 9 & 11 from 2:30-5 p.m., and June 6 & 8 from 2-4 p.m.; Excel on May 16 & 18 from 2:30-5 p.m., and June 13 & 15 from 2-4 p.m.; PowerPoint on May 23 & 25 from 2:30-5 p.m., and June 20 & 22 from 2-4 p.m.; Resume & Cover Letter on May 30 & June 1 from 2:30-5 p.m.
NEW: Computer Basics
Need help with technology basics? These classes will give participants a basic understanding of the featured topic. To register, visit the Help Desk at the Main Library or call (609) 345-2269, ext. 3012.
Schedule: Mondays from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Keyboard & Mouse on June 5, Internet on June 12 and Smart Devices on June 26.
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Classes are for non-native, English speakers. Interactive learning focusing on the listening, speaking, reading, grammar and writing skills of the students.
Virtual class. Register online.
Schedule:
Mondays, May 8, 15, 22 and June 5, 12, 26 at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays, May 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7, 14, 21, 28 at 7 p.m.
Fridays, May 12, 19, 26 and June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 10 a.m.
In-person class. Register online.
Schedule: TBA.