Max Out Your Library Card

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Abstract

the last person I’d choose to draw anything, as drawing a straight line, freehand, is not a part of my skill set.Fortunately, InDesign does not employ drawing per se, but in using the program I can understand how an artist would use the software for creating layouts to generate a brochure, magazine, or promotional material for a business.Despite my lack of design experience, I’ve been logging in to the library website to access the resource Lynda.com, which is now LinkedIn Learning. The resource contains hundreds of self-training videos, including software training.The best part of the video self-training is that the videos are divided into segments of five minutes or less for each concept covered. Since the segments are brief, it’s easy to repeat them until I’ve mastered the material covered. I work on two laptops, so I have Adobe InDesign open on one laptop, as I play the video on the other laptop.Another resource I love is RB Digital, a collection of digital magazines to borrow. This resource includes the favorites that I don’t want to pay for at the newsstand, like The Economist and The New Yorker. I enjoy my magazine subscriptions, but I’m letting them expire in favor of free, on-line reading.If your l

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ibrary doesn’t carry RB Digital, it may offer Pressreader, which is a similar service. The only drawback to Pressreader is that it is a free service when used at the library’s wi-fi hotspot, and otherwise, is a paid subscription service. My library is adding free magazine borrows to Overdrive, and has indicated it will transition to using Overdrive for all magazines by the end of next month.The final resource I’ve been using on the library website is Kanopy, which is a streaming service for films, documentaries, and instructional videos, including the Great Courses college lecture series on multiple topics. I’ve previously paid for listening to Great Courses on Amazon Audible, but no longer do so since I’m able to borrow them from Kanopy.I’ve touched on only a few career-building library resources, but the library contains many more. I encourage you to pay a virtual visit to your library’s website, for inspiration and to explore your interests.A library card is the most valuable card in your wallet. Maxing it out to gain knowledge and marketable skills will add more cash to your money clip. Isn’t that preferable to maxing out your credit cards on frivolous spending?</article></body>

It’s a tool for career renewal

I’ve been visiting my library’s website for the past year, as in-person browsing is not possible. I’m able to borrow 10 e-books for two weeks at a time, and most of the time, the borrowing expires before I have time to read most of what I’ve chosen.

As wonderful as e-books are, the local library website provides access to excellent resources which I’m using to ramp up career skills.

Covid-19 sparked an unexpected career change, and I’m now working as an office manager. Most of my work has transitioned from previous employment, including bookkeeping, writing, proofreading, and editing.

However, as part of my new responsibilities, I’ve needed to learn graphic design skills, and am presently working my way through self-training on Adobe InDesign. I’m the last person I’d choose to draw anything, as drawing a straight line, freehand, is not a part of my skill set.

Fortunately, InDesign does not employ drawing per se, but in using the program I can understand how an artist would use the software for creating layouts to generate a brochure, magazine, or promotional material for a business.

Despite my lack of design experience, I’ve been logging in to the library website to access the resource Lynda.com, which is now LinkedIn Learning. The resource contains hundreds of self-training videos, including software training.

The best part of the video self-training is that the videos are divided into segments of five minutes or less for each concept covered. Since the segments are brief, it’s easy to repeat them until I’ve mastered the material covered. I work on two laptops, so I have Adobe InDesign open on one laptop, as I play the video on the other laptop.

Another resource I love is RB Digital, a collection of digital magazines to borrow. This resource includes the favorites that I don’t want to pay for at the newsstand, like The Economist and The New Yorker. I enjoy my magazine subscriptions, but I’m letting them expire in favor of free, on-line reading.

If your library doesn’t carry RB Digital, it may offer Pressreader, which is a similar service. The only drawback to Pressreader is that it is a free service when used at the library’s wi-fi hotspot, and otherwise, is a paid subscription service. My library is adding free magazine borrows to Overdrive, and has indicated it will transition to using Overdrive for all magazines by the end of next month.

The final resource I’ve been using on the library website is Kanopy, which is a streaming service for films, documentaries, and instructional videos, including the Great Courses college lecture series on multiple topics. I’ve previously paid for listening to Great Courses on Amazon Audible, but no longer do so since I’m able to borrow them from Kanopy.

I’ve touched on only a few career-building library resources, but the library contains many more. I encourage you to pay a virtual visit to your library’s website, for inspiration and to explore your interests.

A library card is the most valuable card in your wallet. Maxing it out to gain knowledge and marketable skills will add more cash to your money clip. Isn’t that preferable to maxing out your credit cards on frivolous spending?