Library Freebies – Learn Something New

Want to learn something new? Explore a new career or need extra help with challenging technology issues? Come discover free educational services available at the Library to all Huntington Beach community members. Two resources, Digital Navigators and Get Set Up, are found in the Study & Test Preparation section of our Digital Resources Library, and two other resources, Linked-in Learning and EBSCO Learning Express can be found in the Business & Career Resources category.  All four services provide you with a number of helpful resources, such as online courses or interactive tutorials to help you learn about almost anything – from how to write a resume, to how to improve your math skills.  All of these tools have been made available to public libraries in California courtesy of the California State Library, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.

Digital Navigators from Connected California is available in both English and Spanish, and provides users with their own “Navigator” who can offer personalized assistance in getting them connected to the internet and other online resources. Some of the benefits of using this free program include: 

  • Help finding low-cost internet services and devices for your home so you can get online.
  • Learn basic computer skills, such as how to navigate the internet.
  • Explore a specific online resources that you can use to improve your life, such as help with career development.

To get connected to a Digital Navigator, click here.  Once there, click on the blue “Connect with Us” button, and then fill out the form, specifying your technological needs.  A skilled expert will get in touch with you within 24 hours on weekdays to schedule a telephone visit.  During that call you can discuss your needs with them and they will let you know what they can do for you!  You may also contact a Navigator by phone at 1-800-790-5319; text 626-873-8390; or e-mail at [email protected].

The Get Set Up service is specifically geared towards seniors, and contains a catalog of more than 500 classes exclusively for older adults. On weekdays, there are more than 40 live classes offered daily, with 25 choices on the weekends.  The Library has teamed up with this service to provide live online classes that can keep you mentally, physically, and socially active, as well as technologically savvy. 

Classes are interactive, easy to join, offered day and night, and completely free to our community members in Huntington Beach!  The types of classes vary from iPhone Basics, techniques to use for healthy weight loss, ideas on how to plan the perfect vacation, and even how to become a master photographer.

To get connected with Get Set Up, click here.  Sign up for a free account with either your e-mail address or phone number.  In lieu of using your library card, remember to use this coupon code (CSL-HB) when creating your account to waive all class fees.  Once your account is set up, you can browse course offerings and reserve your space in the class.

For those interested in training or professional development to further their career or advance in employment, the online learning platform Linked-in Learning, found in the Business & Career Resources category of our Digital Resources Library, contains an e-library of over 16,000 professionally-produced and self-paced online courses.  These courses are consistently updated for content and translated into seven languages, including French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.  To sign in or create an account, click here and enter your library card and PIN code. 

Once signed in, you will be asked to select from topics in three categories — business, technology, and creativity — and your responses will be used to create custom-made course offerings tailored to your own interests.  If you change your mind or don’t find exactly what you’re looking for in those results, you can modify your initial selections by clicking on “Browse” in the top left corner of your personalized home page.  Depending on your interests, a variety of classes are displayed under the heading “Top Picks for You” and might include such topics as “How to Speak so People Want to Listen” or “The Nine Best Ways to Invest in Yourself”.  All you have to do to get started is click on the link, which leads you directly to the first video of that class.  Get ready to learn…and have fun!

The fourth database is called EBSCO Learning Express, and it can also be found in the Business & Career Resources category on the library’s website.  This free service is aimed at helping both students and professionals achieve their educational and career goals by providing access to interactive tutorials, practice tests, flashcards, career development resources, and more.  Depending on your needs, creating a free account will connect you to academic skill building tips and other helpful tools needed to write a resume or find job openings. To use this free resource, click here.  If you are a first-time user, you will need to sign up for a free account, being sure to enter “Huntington Beach Central Library” when asked to identify your institution.   Simply enter your e-mail address, which will become your username, then create a password and you are ready to start learning something new.

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