Top 10 Free Tech Training at Libraries and Community Centers in Baltimore, MD in 2026

Table of Contents

• Baltimore's Free Tech Training Ignition System
• Enoch Pratt Free Library's Digital Navigators & Open Works Lab
• Baltimore County Public Library Cisco Networking Academy
• Per Scholas Baltimore Info Sessions and Workshops
• Digital Harbor Foundation Tech Center Community Workshops
• Community College Course Auditing at CCBC and BCCC
• Northstar Digital Literacy at Baltimore Career Centers
• BCCC Cyber Workforce Accelerator Open Labs
• Library-Linked Entrepreneur and Business Tech Resources
• Specialized Branch Programming at Local Libraries
• Community-Based Nonprofit Workshops and Hackathons
• Your 30-Day Free Baltimore Tech Learning Plan
• Frequently Asked Questions

Enoch Pratt Free Library's Digital Navigators & Open Works Lab

The Enoch Pratt Free Library system is Baltimore's most comprehensive public ignition point. Its Digital Navigators program offers weekly, walk-in assistance, with "Digital Drop-ins" typically held Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This service provides help with everything from basic computer literacy to navigating online job applications, acting as a critical first touchpoint.

Your free Library eCard unlocks a deeper tier of learning via the library's portal to LinkedIn Learning and Gale Courses, granting access to hundreds of professional video courses. For hands-on, advanced exploration, the Open Works Technology Lab at the Central Library provides training on industry-standard software like the Adobe Creative Suite and 3D printing design.

Education expert Crystal Trice highlights the library's evolving role, noting that trusted institutions like Pratt are essential for helping residents "navigate digital tools" and build foundational knowledge while avoiding misinformation. The library's resources are a proven launchpad, with initiatives like the Enoch Pratt Youth Collective successfully placing students in hands-on workshops to build professional portfolios.

Baltimore County Public Library Cisco Networking Academy

The Baltimore County Public Library has transformed into a frontline workforce development hub, moving well beyond basic computer literacy. Its most strategic offering is a free partnership with the Cisco Networking Academy, providing residents with direct access to professional online courses.

With just an email address, you can enroll in Cisco's curriculum covering Cybersecurity, AI Fundamentals, and Networking Essentials through the BCPL portal. This creates a zero-cost pathway to the exact concepts demanded by Maryland's booming tech sector, where cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow by 40%. In-person support complements this; branches like North Point host recurring "Computers for Beginners" sessions, typically on Thursday mornings at 10 AM.

Furthermore, BCPL’s Entrepreneur Academy resources provide free access to market research databases and business planning software, hailed as a "gold mine" for startups. As Kyle McColgan, VP of Strategic Partnerships at BCR Cyber, emphasizes, free programs like these are critical to addressing a "massive workforce gap" for the thousands of open cybersecurity roles in the region.

Per Scholas Baltimore Info Sessions and Workshops

While Per Scholas is renowned for its intensive, full-time bootcamps, its most accessible feature for beginners is the free info session and introductory workshop. These no-commitment sessions are designed for Baltimore residents to explore the tech field and understand the demands of a rigorous training program, all without financial risk.

For the current year, Per Scholas has integrated AI readiness directly into its curriculum. Their free touchpoints often outline pathways to professional certifications, including the CompTIA A+ and Google AI Essentials, provided at no cost to accepted students. You can find and register for these sessions on the Per Scholas Baltimore location page.

Attending an info session provides a realistic blueprint for a career transition. Participants in recent cohorts have described an environment of "incredible ambition," benefiting from direct relationships with instructors who provide a clear "roadmap to success." This approach demystifies the journey into tech, showing what's possible and what it takes from the very first step.

Digital Harbor Foundation Tech Center Community Workshops

Located at 1045 Light Street in Federal Hill, the Digital Harbor Foundation (DHF) is a cornerstone of Baltimore's maker community. While many programs focus on youth, DHF regularly opens its Tech Center to the public for free community workshops and "Rec-to-Tech" STEM celebrations, creating a perfect, low-pressure environment for absolute beginners.

These hands-on events provide an exploratory introduction to skills like coding with micro:bit microcontrollers, 3D printing, and digital fabrication. The emphasis is on the joy of creation and discovery, allowing you to build something tangible while testing your interest in tech. It's an ideal spark for those who learn best by doing.

To find the next open community event, follow the Digital Harbor Foundation on Facebook for announcements. You can also find the center listed on community resource maps like y2connect. These workshops are a testament to Baltimore's collaborative tech spirit, offering a unique, project-based ignition point far removed from formal classrooms.

Community College Course Auditing at CCBC and BCCC

Maryland's community college system holds a remarkable secret for tech learners: the ability to audit credit-bearing courses. This means you can attend lectures and learn the material from classes like "Introduction to Networking" or "PC Troubleshooting" without the pressure of grades or exams.

The process is straightforward at institutions like the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). Interested residents typically need to contact the registrar and submit a formal Request to Audit form. While a small administrative fee may apply, Maryland residents aged 60 and older can often audit courses completely free, with tuition waived.

Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) offers a parallel path through its workforce development division, which includes digital literacy workshops and its advanced Cyber Workforce Accelerator™ Program. Auditing provides a risk-free way to experience college-level tech education, gauging your aptitude for the structured learning that can lead to degrees or professional certifications.

Northstar Digital Literacy at Baltimore Career Centers

For a focused, self-paced way to build and verify essential computer competencies, seek out the Northstar Digital Literacy program. This platform is available free of charge at many Baltimore City and County Career Centers, offering a structured path from beginner to job-ready.

Northstar allows you to take assessments and complete learning modules on crucial skills like Microsoft Office Suite, basic operating system navigation, and internet safety. The key advantage is the official certificate you earn upon passing an assessment. In a competitive job market, a verified credential in "Essential Microsoft Excel" or "Information Literacy" can make your resume stand out for administrative or entry-level tech support roles.

You can access this resource through the Baltimore County Public Library's digital literacy portal or at city workforce development offices. As highlighted by the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development, these programs are designed to provide the tools needed for success in daily life, education, and employment, serving as a concrete, confidence-building first step on your tech journey.

BCCC Cyber Workforce Accelerator Open Labs

The Baltimore City Community College’s Cyber Workforce Accelerator™ Program is a formidable, state-funded initiative designed to build local talent for the region's critical cybersecurity sector. While the full accelerator is a selective program, BCCC frequently hosts free open lab sessions and informational workshops that are open to the public.

These sessions provide a rare opportunity to experience an advanced training environment firsthand. The program’s crown jewel is its "Series 3000 Cyber Range," a simulator that allows students to practice defending against real-world cyberattacks in a controlled, high-stakes environment. Getting a glimpse of this technology is incredibly motivating, demonstrating the exciting, practical nature of the work that thrives in the Baltimore-Washington corridor around Fort Meade.

Details on upcoming open houses and lab sessions can be found on the BCCC Workforce Development page. This access points directly to a high-demand career path, with the state's cybersecurity sector poised for significant growth. It’s an ideal way to test your interest in a field that protects the digital infrastructure of major employers from Johns Hopkins to the federal agencies nearby.

Library-Linked Entrepreneur and Business Tech Resources

Baltimore's library systems have evolved into essential incubators for local business, offering a suite of free tech resources tailored for entrepreneurs. Both the Enoch Pratt and Baltimore County systems provide far more than books, hosting workshops on using AI for market research, building websites with low-code tools, and leveraging social media analytics.

The Entrepreneur Academy resources at BCPL offer free access to professional market research databases and business planning software. A budding entrepreneur could use these tools to conduct competitive analysis, design a logo with Adobe software at the Open Works lab, and learn to manage finances with spreadsheets - all at no cost.

As highlighted by Technical.ly, Baltimore-area libraries are a "gold mine of resources for entrepreneurs." This support is part of a broader expansion, with Maryland libraries reporting a 15% increase in public programs in recent years. These resources provide the foundational tech and business intelligence needed to confidently launch a venture within the city's growing life-sciences and cybersecurity startup ecosystem.

Specialized Branch Programming at Local Libraries

Neighborhood library branches are often hidden gems, hosting unique, hands-on workshops that provide accessible introductions to emerging tech fields. A prime example is the free robotics workshop for teens and adults scheduled at the Hampden Branch, detailed on the Hampden Branch's calendar for February 23, 2026.

These specialized branch programs are typically one-off, require no prior registration, and focus on a single engaging project. They are perfect for experiential learners and can be the exact spark that ignites a deeper interest in fields like robotics, automation, or engineering - areas with strong ties to local institutions like Johns Hopkins University.

This model extends beyond Hampden. Branches like Orleans Street offer regular tech classes for adults and seniors, including Introduction to Microsoft Word, intermediate Excel, and smartphone photography. As part of a statewide trend, Maryland's library systems have seen a 15% increase in public programs

Community-Based Nonprofit Workshops and Hackathons

Beyond scheduled library programs, Baltimore's wider network of nonprofits and community groups provides dynamic, project-based learning through free "learn to code" days, civic tech hackathons, and digital inclusion workshops. While not as consistently scheduled, these events offer invaluable hands-on experience and community connection.

You might find yourself applying beginning skills to a real local problem, collaborating with others, and meeting potential mentors. These gatherings reinforce the powerful idea that tech skills are tools for building and problem-solving within your own community. Staying attuned to local event listings is key to discovering these opportunities.

Regularly check community calendars like those from the Baltimore Beat, which often feature tech-focused gatherings. Organizations like the Digital Harbor Foundation also promote their "Rec-to-Tech" community STEM celebrations, blending education with civic engagement. These one-day ignition events are where abstract learning becomes tangible impact, perfectly aligning with Baltimore's collaborative and inventive spirit.

Your 30-Day Free Baltimore Tech Learning Plan

This structured plan leverages Baltimore's free infrastructure to help you answer the fundamental question: "Is a tech career for me?" It's designed to build confidence and clarity over 30 days, moving from exploration to actionable next steps.

Weeks 1 & 2: Ignition. Start at your nearest library branch to get a free card and attend one "Digital Drop-in" or beginner session. Use your card to access LinkedIn Learning via Enoch Pratt and complete a short course like "Computer Basics." This builds the foundational digital literacy essential for any tech pathway in a region where cybersecurity jobs alone are growing by 40%.

Week 3: Exploration. Choose one hands-on session, such as a Digital Harbor Foundation community workshop, to learn by creating. Simultaneously, start the "Introduction to Cybersecurity" module through the free Cisco Networking Academy to sample the skills driving Maryland's high-demand job market.

Week 4: Evaluation & Next Steps. Attend a free info session at Per Scholas Baltimore to ask questions about professional certifications. Then, decide your next move: audit a CCBC course using their Request to Audit form, commit to Northstar Digital Literacy certificates, or delve deeper into the Open Works Lab. This plan provides the map; you choose the destination.

Frequently Asked Questions