Free Digital Resources to Check Out at Your Library

Many tech professionals like myself are always looking for resources to grow and expand our knowledge- but we all know the high cost of constantly buying books, subscribing to learning memberships, and the investment needed to consume them all! I was surprised to learn that many of my peers were unaware of the enormous resource that is their local library here in the US that I was currently using for leveraging my supplementary education. Not only does your local library allow you to rent DVDs, videos, physical books, and more– but did you know that the nation’s estimated 120,000 libraries also offer accessible and reliable digital resources at no additional cost?
Once you’ve received your library card, you can explore your library’s website and review their digital library or “cyber shelf” section to find what’s available! Here are a few things I encourage you to check out, especially for you techies. Please note that not all libraries have the same resources, so follow up with your local library (residency may impact library access).

I’m a sucker for watching and participating in online courses. And with Udemy having diverse options from freelancers, Udemy can be a pretty good place to get some variety! I spent over $200 before I learned about Udemy Business’s collaboration with Gale.com, which makes learning and improving skills across business, tech, design (and more!) more accessible to all! Not only could you be saving hundreds of your dollars out of pocket, but you’re bound to learn something new!

LinkedIn Learning

Similar to Gale x Udemy, LinkedIn Learning also works with many local libraries to offer a variety of courses to learn in-demand business, technology, and creative skills. I highly recommend their online business courses (they’re top tier)! A side note for Californians, your access may vary due to California’s enforcement of privacy and confidentiality of library users’ data. You can sign up here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/go/share.

eBooks & Audiobooks

OverDrive

OverDrive is the most extensive collection of resources and allows you to check out thousands of books in 40+ countries through your Kindle app or EPUB library book. You can also recommend to your library to get physical copies of your favorite ebooks or audiobooks through the OverDrive app!

OverDrive also offers access to e-Magazines, which can be ideal if you enjoy borrowing magazines in your own home since many libraries don’t allow you to check out your favorite magazine’s current month’s issue. 

Libby

eBook access ranges per district, but depending on your device and your usage preferences, you can also rent eBooks just like physical copies! You can rent all sorts of eBooks- but I especially encourage you to use Libby. Libby is a “subset” of the OverDrive media console- but focuses primarily on the navigation/searching for eBooks and Audiobooks at your local library. As someone who loves to listen to business books and occasionally flip through an eBook, Libby is one of the apps I use daily that I love and have shared with friends over the past few years. You can use them via apps on your devices (Kindle has its own deals with Libby), but you can also access them via your web browser!

As a techie, you know how important it is to stay in the know and always stay up to date on tech and business. So while Salesforce’s Trailhead can be a resource for Salesforce– I encourage you to take advantage of your local library’s resources for additional business learning!

Good luck, Trailblazers!