Learning can happen anywhere, anytime, and on your schedule. The Library provides free online learning resources for all ages in a variety of topics ranging from educational, career, and fun recreational areas. Explore learning resources for various age groups:

• Children
• Adults
• All ages

Children

Brainfuse – HelpNow
Get ready to succeed this school year! With Brainfuse Online Tutoring, you can conquer tough subjects and boost grades with personalized support. Whether it’s brushing up on math, conquering tricky science concepts, or improving your writing skills, Brainfuse tutors are here to help you succeed.

Explora
Explora is an exceptional resource for K-12 students and educators. Access popular magazines and reference books for high school students and a variety of subjects including art, history, sports, science, and music. Access the database for free with your library card. 

NoveList K-8 PLUS
With NoveList, readers can browse fiction and nonfiction books and find reading recommendations for authors, titles, and series. Explore titles in a variety of genres and age groups, including ages 0-8, 9-12, and teens!

Adults

Gale Courses
Gale Courses offer a wide range of interactive, instructor-led courses that you can take entirely online at no cost. Explore technical, vocational, & recreational subjects such as programming, accounting, and photography! Courses run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month.

LinkedIn Learning
Learn technology, creative and business skills you can use today. LinkedIn Learning offers free online courses and video-based learning taught by industry experts. Choose from thousands of courses with your library card and earn a certificate today.

JobNow
Ace your interview by practicing with Brainfuse Interview Coaches! Gain the confidence and skills you need to impress employers, tackle tough questions, and stand out from the crowd. Your dream job awaits – let’s get you there!

VetNow
Veterans and their families can learn about VA benefits and resources, get resume and interview help, and chat with experts. Read lessons, watch videos, take tests, and know more. Need extra assistance? Connect with a VetNow expert today.

All ages

Bendable
Bendable is a free learning platform that allows learners of all ages to gain new knowledge and skills through online courses and in-person events. With Bendable, learners can explore languages, find resources to continue their education, and explore topics for fun.

Creativebug
Learn how to paint, knit, crochet, screen print, and more! Creativebug offers online video arts and crafts workshops, downloadable patterns, templates, and recipes for all skill levels. New classes from artists and creative experts are released daily.

Gale eBooks
Access online encyclopedias and reference books for research. Users can search for topics and find information in several ebooks.

Indiana State Library Inspire
Inspire is a lifelong learning resource provided by the Indiana State Library. Inspire provides free online access to educational resources and databases for all ages, Indiana history and genealogy, and test and career preparation including high school equivalency, college admissions test prep, and U.S. Citizenship resources.

Questions? Please contact:
Scott Sandberg
Research Librarian
(574) 285-4744
s.sandberg@sjcpl.org

Check out the new and improved Bendable!

Learning is a lifelong process that everyone can engage in. With Bendable, learners can explore languages, find resources to continue their education, and explore topics for fun. Thanks to Bendable, learners of all ages can learn online or in-person, all for free with their library card! Bendable is host to a variety of resources, like edX for those looking to learn from some of the top universities in the world, or Brainfuse for those looking for some hands-on live support for everything from math and English homework to career support, as well as familiar local providers like Notre Dame, Indiana University South Bend, or South Bend’s very own Venues, Parks & Arts. Along with learning from local organizations, you can also pick up a new skill from a friend or a neighbor using Bendable’s Community Collections. Community Collections are playlists of resources curated by local experts and hobbyists on a variety of topics such as Staying fit at home, Starting your houseplant collection, and How to start playing chess.

Learn more about Bendable! 

What’s great about the platform is that it gives learners the ability to learn on their own time, at their own pace, and access resources that are interesting and relevant to them. The following learners have used Bendable to do just that:

• Nikki Morris is a full-time mother and professional, and she has gained skills to support her and her family’s personal well-being. Nikki participated in a learning circle at the Library that met each week to complete the Pathways to Happiness edX course on Bendable. Morris can apply what she’s learned with her family and also her personal life.
• Viri Zamarripa is committed to caring for children as a mother and her career. She is earning her child development associate credential through a collaboration with Bendable, the Library, and United Way of St. Joseph County. What’s more, she loves that this opportunity lets her manage her own time.
  
  Bendable: Live & Learn – Read more testimonials on Bendable’s website!

We all continue learning well beyond school, and with Bendable you can now learn for fun, to improve your everyday life, or to grow your career, all for free with your library card. With Bendable’s new and refreshed website you can now search for courses that interest you, filtering for courses that fit your schedule or that offer college credit or industry certifications. If you’re thinking of going back to school as an adult, whether it’s to get your high school diploma, switch your career path, or to pursue a bachelors or graduate degree, Bendable has resources for you under this spotlight. 

Have you used Bendable to learn something new?