SEATTLE -- Thousands of people who need work are losing out on good jobs because of a hidden handicap.  Employers say many applicants fall short when it comes to computer skills.

In job fair after local job fair, many job seekers discover their computer skills fall short of employer expectations.

Career experts say it's a particular problem for workers whose previous jobs never called for the computer knowledge many employers consider basic -- like word processing, and sending attachments.

If your skills don't make the grade, it's time to get training, and you can get a lot of that training at your local library for free.

For example, log onto the King County Library System's website and click on the link for classes. You'll find courses on everything from setting up an e-mail to using the most popular software applications.

Local libraries routinely offer free classes on e-mail and the Internet, sending resumes online, Microsoft Windows, Excel, word processing -- even desktop publishing.

Starting May 1, the King County Library System is expanding hours and adding staff for a special 8 day outreach.

It's called "Look To Your Library". All 44 King County libraries will open an hour early from May 1-8 with special workshops, job search help,  and many other resources for  county residents trying to cope during this recession.

In addition, you'll also find free classes and workshops at libraries in Pierce, Snohomish, Island, and Thurston counties.

In fact, virtually all public libraries routinely offer free classes, seminars and workshops to help local residents with community resources, business database research, retraining, job interview skills and how to access community resources that can help during these tough times. Librarians have a wealth of knowledge that many people don't take advantage of, because they don't know it's available.

In many cases, there are also classes and services for people with special vision and hearing and language needs.

For more information:

http://www.kcls.org/

http://www.spl.org/

http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/Default.aspx

http://www.sno-isle.org/page/?ID=1

http://www.trlib.org/

http://www.wcls.org/

http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/Governance/spd/spd-LibServ.aspx