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West Vancouver library offers lots of learning resources

There is no shortage of paid content and subscription services that can foster learning both in and out of the classroom this fall. But many students don’t know that similar (or better) options are available for free through the library.
WV library

There is no shortage of paid content and subscription services that can foster learning both in and out of the classroom this fall.

But many students don’t know that similar (or better) options are available for free through the library. Before you bust out your credit card or renew a subscription, check out these library options for learners of all ages.  

Practice tests and online learning
Learning Express Library has practice tests and tutorials in all of the major school subjects for students in the middle grades and older, plus the LSAT, TOEFL and more. Learning Express: Software Centre also offers self-guided courses on Microsoft Office and other software that is perfect for beginners.

Looking to learn a new technical skill or take your existing knowledge to a new level? Lynda.com offers hundreds of professional courses on topics including accounting, video and photo editing software, coding, teaching and much more.

Public libraries also have subscriptions to ancestry.ca, the popular database used for genealogy research. This is the only digital resource that you have to access at a computer inside the library. Everything else can be accessed from home or on your mobile device.

Language learning
You’ve probably heard of programs like Rosetta Stone that help learners gain language skills independently without attending classes. The public library offers access to similar options like Mango Languages and Pronunciator with self-directed courses on more than 50 world languages.

Magazines and international newspapers
Zinio is a digital magazine service that many people pay to access, but you can use it for free through the public library. With learning titles like Owl, National Geographic, Popular Science, Mental Floss and leisure reading titles like Vanity Fair, Reader’s Digest and The New Yorker, there is much on offer.

Yes, it’s easy to get articles from major North American newspapers online for free, but Press Display allows you to read digital versions of current newspapers from all over the world in dozens of languages. Bonus: the newspaper appears on the screen just as it does on the page so you can browse it just like the real thing.

Ebooks and e-audiobooks
The public library’s collection of ebooks and e-audiobooks has expanded and improved over the past several years and you can now access bestsellers in all genres and for all ages using the Overdrive or OneClickDigital apps.

Keep in mind: many of these services offer paid subscriptions to non-library users, so you have to make sure that you are accessing them through your library website (or with your library card) to get it for free. In other words, a Google search often won’t lead you to the right entry point.

Check with your local branch to confirm that these are available at your public library and for help getting started.

Librarians are always keen to help you on your learning journey, no matter your age or skill level.

Shannon Ozirny is head of Youth Services at West Vancouver Memorial Library.