Look To Your Library for Career Resources, Life Skills

There is no shortage of instructional videos available online. On YouTube alone, there are thousands of videos covering just about any topic or question you might search for. Whether you need to change your spark plugs, refresh your smartphone settings, or sew a button—you’ll be able to find what you need.

But for more substantive and sustained instruction, free resources are usually inadequate or come with restrictions, caveats, and endless ad interruptions. There are many reputable sources for curated, professionally produced, and professionally vetted instructional content, but those sources are rarely free. If you are looking for job hunting, professional development, or skill certification resources, try looking beyond YouTube. Consider looking at what Prince William Public Libraries (PWPL) has to offer.

Over the past several years, PWPL has assembled a robust offering of online resources for educational, professional, and career development. Patrons only need a library card to access online platforms offering high-quality professional instruction, advice, and even training certificates.

Influential career source LinkedIn Learning offers hundreds of in-depth videos on technology, the creative arts, and business. There are thousands of stand-alone videos on everything from computer programming to small business finance, from the basics of computer animation to learning to write calligraphy. There are also multi-part courses on topics including learning data analysis and becoming a “thought leader.”

The Library of Virginia also makes Universal Class available to all Virginia residents through PWPL; It is a similar resource with a diverse offering of videos and online courses. As with LinkedIn Learning, courses on Universal Learning feature credentialed experts, track your progress, and offer completion certificates.

There are other resources tailored to business and entrepreneurial interests. The ACCEL5 Business Library offers videos on management, leadership, and business skills, as well as brief summaries of some of the latest business and management books on the market. And currently, the Library of Virginia is offering entrepreneurial training through the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative, or “Eli.” The site offers an eight-part course on “Entrepreneurial Mindset Training.” This is yet another opportunity to access quality career resources through your library.

For yourself, or any person in your life seeking to improve their job prospects, work performance, or professional development, PWPL has the resources to get some serious, relevant training. Get started today at pwcva.gov/digitallibrary.

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Written by Kirk Johnson, Prince William Public Libraries Materials Services Division