Robin Poffenberger Support Services Manager, Washington-Centerville Public Library

Research indicates that people are more likely to use public libraries during childhood, early parenthood, and retirement. Hopefully, some of you have fond memories of attending story time as a child or parent! But what can libraries offer you during the career stage of your life?  

• Keep up to date with technology and business news using newspapers and magazines, available in both physical and digital editions. Many digital editions are always available, ready to read whenever and wherever you are.  

• Sharpen and grow your skills to advance your current career or start a new one. Use your library card to access thousands of free video-based trainings via LinkedIn Learning or Udemy on topics ranging from project management to Microsoft 365 Administration. These resources are also a great way for small businesses to develop their employees. 

• Need statistical information to provide justification for a new project? Statista has over 80,000 topics from over 18,000 sources combined in a single platform.  

• Our Reference Librarians can assist you in finding free resources including business-oriented databases to create customer lists, develop and gather competitive intelligence, and investigate industries. 

• Working at an international company? Improve communication with your colleagues by learning a new language using online language systems or mobile apps. 

• Catch up on new and best-selling business books. Pick up a physical copy using curbside pickup or download an audio copy to your phone and listen while you commute or exercise. 

Lifelong learning isn’t just about professional development. Studies show that we have fewer new experiences as we age, making time feel like it passes more quickly. Taking time for learning activities during your personal time also provides benefits such as helping your brain stay healthy and expanding your thinking. Libraries can help! 

• Enlist your friends and family and test your sleuthing skills with digital escape rooms from the comfort of your own home.  

• Learn new recipes or cooking skills using cookbooks and cooking magazines. Try traditional recipes from around the world using the AtoZ World Food online database or try regional recipes from the U.S. with AtoZ Food America. 

• Go back in time to research your family tree using genealogy resources such as Ancestry, Fold 3 and HeritageQuest.  

• Ready to buy a new car or try repairing your own? Check out Consumer Reports for reviews on new vehicles or tackle vehicle maintenance repairs with help from Chilton Library online. 

• Tackle those intimidating home improvement projects with Home Improvement Reference Center. 

• Plan your next trip with the help of the library! Get passports and passport photos, foreign language tutorials, travel books and more.  

• Learn to knit, crochet, scrapbook, decorate cakes and more using CreativeBug, an online video tutorial resource. CreativeBug has thousands of award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized designers and artists. 

If it’s been a while since you visited your local public library, stop in or visit us online to see how we can help you achieve your learning goals.