562.570.6128
Nicole.Tominaga@lbpl.org
Digital Services Librarian
Library Services
Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) has expanded its Digital Library with two of the online learning industry’s most popular platforms: Coursera and Skillshare. The two learning platforms contain thousands of creative and career development classes created by renowned universities, companies and industry icons. Both resources, along with the rest of the Digital Library, are completely free for LBPL cardholders.
“The digital resources available through our public library system are an incredible asset to our community,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We are grateful to the California State Library for helping residents access these online tools.”
Coursera provides flexible job and career online learning for those looking to develop a new skill or seeking a new job or career advancement. By partnering with over 275 leading universities like University of California San Diego, University of Washington and State University of New York, and companies including Google and Intel, Coursera brings in-demand educational and job skills to individuals and companies.
Skillshare focuses on short online classes to help users grow a business, deepen their passions, or find inspiration suited to their personal routine. Classes cover creative, business, technology and lifestyle topics such as UX design, freelancing and opening an online store and are taught by experts and industry leaders who share their experience, wisdom and trusted tools.
“The resources available through CAreer Pathways are another way for the Long Beach Public Library to aid patrons in self-directed learning, increase digital equity, and support the intellectual curiosity of Long Beach’s diverse community,” said Library Director Cathy De Leon.
Funded by the State and administered by the California State Library, Coursera and Skillshare are a part of CAreer Pathways, a collection of online learning platforms preparing and training those entering the workforce or wanting to get a better job. Access to Coursera and Skillshare, as well as the other CAreer Pathways platforms, is available through the Long Beach Public Library’s Digital Library. For more information visit lbpl.org or call 562.570.7500.
About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services, Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, 2 historic ranchos, 5 hospitals, 12 libraries, 5 golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Watch us on LBTV. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Long Beach Public Library
Long Beach Public Library, founded in 1896, serves a diverse urban city of close to half a million people. The Long Beach Public Library system includes the Billie Jean King Main Library and eleven neighborhood libraries and a vibrant online presence. In summer of 2017, the Long Beach Public Library was awarded the National Medal for Library and Museum Services in recognition of successful community-collaborations, innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and literacy-focused programs to the residents of Long Beach. With an emphasis on providing free and equal access to information and support for learning for a lifetime, the Library offers books, media, databases, Internet access, Family Learning Centers, makerspaces, and a variety of events ranging from story times to educational and cultural programs.
For more information, visit lbpl.org, “Like” the Long Beach Public Library on Facebook, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram.