When Faith Rum's beloved husband of 51 years died three years ago, she decided it was time to open up a new door in her life.

The 76-year-old Toronto resident decided to learn how to use a computer, and now she said it has become an invaluable fixture in her life.

"I love to explore online," Rum said. "There's Google and information and things like that, it amazes me what information you can find on a computer."

She started with a beginner course at the Bernard Betel Centre, moved on to intermediate and now Rum is learning Word. She's currently writing her memoirs, part of an online creative writing class, and she also loves corresponding with friends.

"I think it's just fun, you get jokes, I send them jokes and I belong to a jokers club (online)," she said.

Rum is one of the many Toronto seniors who are becoming tech savvy when it comes to learning computer and Internet skills.

Beatriz Hausner, services specialist who teaches user education at the Toronto Reference Library, said their first seniors computer program, Web Basics for Seniors, was so well received, they've had to expand it in the past few years.

"It was so popular, we found out what they needed was to practice so that's why the Surfing Seniors Drop-In was created because it works concurrently with web basics for seniors," she said.

The basic class, Hausner said, is all about teaching the actual technology, like what a mouse is, how to use it and explaining what the Internet and the World Wide Web is.

When they become more advanced, seniors learn things such as how to research by using search engines and how to surf online. After the three web basic courses and the research skills class, Hausner said seniors can keep advancing into the next class, Web 2.0, then Word processing.

"Our courses work together and once the seniors have acquired the right set of skills in web basics, they graduate to another stream and then they can start taking the other courses we offer through user education," she said.

This could include how to use the library catalogue and how to use e-mail. Hausner teaches these courses and said her students love the communication opportunities that have opened up for them.

"Their relatives, like their grandkids or children, have computers ... so when they learn e-mail they really like that because it connects them easily to one another," she said.

Also, Hausner said, there's so much information suddenly available at their fingertips, once they know how to use the electronic resources it can help them in so many ways like finding reliable medical information or how to shop online.

Rum, who takes a dance class once a week, said instead of blindly hitting the stores to shop for dance gear, she went online.

"I wanted a pair of dancing shoes so I looked on Google and I found two stores here in Toronto and I got the address and phoned and I went and got the dancing shoes," she said.

Hausner said learning computer skills helps seniors increase independence and feel more in control. Another great component is the social aspect.

At the seniors drop-in, she said they've created a little community amongst themselves at break.

Rum is an active and social person, and besides her computer classes, she goes to theatre with her boyfriend, has dinner parties and genuinely enjoys her life. Her computer, she said, enhances her life and she encourages other seniors not to be intimidated.

"Some people are afraid it's too hard, but it's not," Rum said. "If you've ever typed it's easy, you just have to push buttons."

She also said it's interesting to learn and it helps to keep one's mind fresh.

Hausner said the computer is a great way to help seniors learn new things and keep their creative juices flowing.

A new initiative launching this month as part of Seniors Month, called Toronto Public Library At Your Fingertips, will see a specific topic explored each month on the Internet.

Hausner said topics include Travel at Your Fingertips, where seniors learn how to research a trip and book an e-ticket, banking and shopping.

In the fall, the program will continue to include new topics such as healthy living and smart financing. Hausner said all the libraries in the city offer computer classes for seniors.

For information on programs in your area, call the Answerline at 393-7131.