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CSA Online Learning Online education exploded as a category in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. Services such as LinkedIn Learning (linkedin.com/learning, formerly lynda.com) tap expert instructors to teach people about everything from creative thinking and portrait drawing to electronic circuitry and cryptocurrency. LinkedIn Learning costs nearly $50 a month. However, some libraries offer free access to the full catalogue of more than 16,000 online courses with your library card. LinkedIn Learning is just one possible resource. A quick look at the resources section of my own local library (in Burlington, Ontario, if you’re curious) also offers access to Creativebug for online arts-and-crafts courses, Brainfuse for personalized learning and job search help, Canadian Reference Centre for Canadian periodicals, Auto Repair Source for auto repair, and much more. See what’s available on your own library’s website, in an in-person or virtual info session or with a quick visit to a library branch to ask a helpful librarian. Streaming Your library may also offer streaming video, movies and TV that you can watch on a tablet, smart TV or with an Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku device or on any TV in your home. Again, what’s specifically available depends on your library system, but you’ll find access to services such as: Hoopla, which offers movies on demand that you can borrow virtually using your library card; Kanopy, offering films and documentaries; Kanopy Kids for kids’ movies; Summa and Summa Kids for Canadian and Indigenous documentaries and educational resources, and more. Events Libraries will often host events, both in person and virtual on a range of topics for a range of audiences. These include everything fromhow to use library resources, to meet-the-author events and readings, art, nature and tech events for kids, writing workshops, community and public health info sessions, to name but a few. Other stuff Again, looking at my own local library, my library card also grants me access to gated content on theNew York Times website and app. I can check the Canadian Red Book to gauge a vehicle’s value or get a detailed vehicle history with a free CARFAX report. I can access all content including product ratings, reviews and comparison tables on the Consumer Reports site, access in-depth culture and travel information with Global Road Warrior and start compiling my family history with Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, and still only be a long way from exhausting my local library’s options. Check your local library It’s definitely worth a look to see what services and online resources your library offers. Getting started is as simple as visiting your library’s website and looking for a “resources” section or stopping in to talk to the librarians who, in my experience, are always welcoming and happy to help. A bonus for some snowbirds: if you have more than one residence, you may also have more than one local library from which to access digital resources. CSANews | SPRING 2022 | 45

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