Search:

Home | Accessibility | A-Z | Contact Us | FAQs | Help | News and Events | Site Map | Text Only | Useful Links

Business   Community and Living   Council, Government, Democracy   Education and Learning   Environment   Health and Social Care   Housing   Jobs and Careers   Legal Services   Leisure and Culture   Policing and Public Safety   Social Issues   Transport and Streets   Life Events   Maps   Online Services   Related Sites

Home > Leisure and Culture > Libraries > Learning Opportunities in Libraries Learning Opportunities in Libraries Why not drop into your local library to see how we can help you feed your mind? Alongside a wide variety of books we also have a number of electronic resources and offer free access to computers. Learning for Everyone If you are interested in learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby your library will have access to a range of books you may find helpful. From beginners guides to more advanced projects we have the book for you. Our stock covers everything from cookery and painting to fishing and DIY. All our titles can be reserved through library online. If you are intersted in developing and new hobby and meeting people why not have a look at the lists of local groups and clubs avaiable on our Community Information Database. The database contains details of local organisations ranging from photographic clubs to local history societies, some of which even meet in local libraries. If you are studying or undertaking research we offer a comprehensive reference and information service. We can obtain books on a range of topics ranging from basic guides to academic texts. Details of all our books are available on Library Online or you can call into your local library where staff will be happy you help you find the information you need. If you require books or journal articles not currently in our stock we will also be happy to try to obtain them for you from outside our authority although there is a charge for this service. Learn a language Why not get ready for your holiday by learning the language? At the very least you'll be able to ask for directions to the beach! You could prepare for a business trip abroad or simply choose one you always wanted to learn. There is a wide range of languages on offer from tourist Spanish to Russian, Afrikaans to Urdu. You can find out more and order courses to borrow from your local library or from Library Online for either 3 weeks or 3 months depending on the level. The normal reservation fee applies to 3 week loans but 3 month packs are charged for at a higher rate, please see our charges for further details. We also have a number of books in foreign languages available for loan. Develop your IT Skills in your library If you are interested in developing computer skills our Information and Community Development Projects team may be just hat you are looking for. The following projects operate in local libraries and in some community centres. Durham Community Pathfinders is a new service to help community groups and voluntary organisations in the Wear Valley, Teesdale, Derwentside and East Durham. The project is supported by the Learning Skills Council and One North East. Its aim is to help rural communities to make better use of information and communication technology (ICT) by facilitating access to computers and recruiting Pathfinder volunteers to provide support and guidance to people using these computers. For more information please contact: Community Volunteers. The Learning Network Project provides further educational opportunities for residents of Derwentside. The project involves Return to Learn, Durham County Council and Derwentside College. Through this partnership, training is delivered in basic skills and family learning, ICT and a range of other subjects. The project is funded by the Single Regeneration Budget and works in a number of libraries, community centres and village halls across Derwentside. For more information, contact Learning Network or click on any of the below links. An Overview of the Learning Network Project Improving Community Venues through ICT The Learning Network Project's Newsletter Get Webwise! We are one of thousand organisations around Britain who have teamed up with the BBC to give free " crash courses" on the World Wide Web. Webwise is designed to help people who still want to take their first tentative steps on the Internet. Whether you're a mystified Mum or Dad who wants to reclaim the family computer, or you simply want to know the difference between a hot link and a search engine, then help is at hand. Webwise is available in all of the libraries throughout County Durham, so to arrange a session, simply contact your local library from the list of library opening hours. This course consists of an interactive CD Rom which you work through at your own pace, but don't worry, should you get stuck, our friendly staff will be happy to help. Again, this CD ROM is only available for use in the library and is not for loan.

Also See  •  Relevant Links  •  Relevant Contacts  •  Relevant FAQs

Privacy Statement | Copyright | Disclaimer | Top of Page