Free and Fun Online Opportunities

Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: 2020/05 - May

Serenity Richards, branch librarian at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, saw an uptick in online activity in March and April. However, tapping into online library resources is not just a good idea during times of illness or weather-necessitated quarantines, but anytime.
Explains Richards, “Our electronic resources can be found on our website under the eLibrary tab. We offer the standard eBooks, audiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming video. We also offer curated kids and teen collections of these services. In addition to those, with your library card you have access to NCLive which is a collection of databases, journals, newspapers, test prep, homework help, and so much more. There’s access to Mango Language Learning, Auto Repair Source, and Morningstar Investment Research. We also offer genealogical research resources like Heritage Quest and ArchiveGrid.”
Popular – and accessible online – are free instructional, educational opportunities on Universal Class, an online continuing education service. “It features hundreds of self-paced classes across a wide range of topics,” shared Richards. “It is also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training, so some classes will count toward Continuing Education Credits. We also offer an online Driver Education program that hosts practice driver tests and driver’s manuals.”
Want to become a writer? Available on Universal Class are 55 online writing courses, from Proofreading and Copyediting 101 to Creative Writing Workshop and Novel Writing 101. Crafts & Hobbies classes include calligraphy, cake decorating, soap making, acrylic painting, and so much more. Dozens of practical courses are in accounting, business, entrepreneurship, and more.
Finally, Richards reminds that people will always find links to resources that are specifically about various issues, not just the pandemic, communicated by federal, state, and local government entities. For example, spring school closings throughout the country, established NC Learn @Home, ncdcr.gov/things-do/nclearnhome,  a new website designed to gather online content and educational resources into one place for teachers, students, parents, and anyone needing enriching experiences, regardless of their location.

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