Framingham Patch wants to help readers use the site more effectively, to learn about what is happening around the area and to share information.

Tomorrow, March 27, the editors of Framingham Patch, Natick Patch and Marlborough Patch will hold our first Patch Academy, at the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce conference room from 9 to 10:30 a.m. (The Chamber is located at 1671 Worcester Rd in Suite #301.)

Stop by at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, tea and pastries. Program and Q&A begins at 9 a.m.

We want to show you, our readers and local business owners, how to: upload photos and videos to our Patch sites; use Places, our business directory; and introduce you to Local Voices, a section where members of the community have space for their own blogs to write about what they find interesting or amusing.

We also want to show businesses how to claim their listings and how Patch can help their local business grow in MetroWest and on the web.

We also want to show you how we use social media like Facebook and Twitter to share our stories, let you know what's coming up, and interact with readers.

Patch Academy is free and open to everyone, so please stop by, ask us questions, talk with us and learn about all of the great ways that Patch can serve you and your community.

You don't need to pre-register, but if you know you will be attending please email susan.petroni@patch.com