Tips & Tricks for ACLA Databases and Downloadables

We’ve all been there. We want to learn a new craft, go right to YouTube, wait through THREE advertisements forced on us before we can hit skip, and then the video that follows is poorly edited with loud obnoxious music and a monotone presenter who seems to have even less of an idea of how origami works than we do. The solution? CREATIVEBUG.

Creativebug’s videos are vetted for content, professionally edited and filmed, and presented by experts who are actually experts. Plus, they are AD-FREE. Read that again, and relax your grip on the mute button you hover over so don’t have to listen to that cringy Aflac duck for the 500th time.

I know, I know – who needs another website to check, right? YOU DO. Plus, it’s easy to get to and the only access required is a library card number. The navigation is simpler (certainly less cluttered than YouTube) and you can easily save your progress and classes you are interested in for later. Whether a casual dabbler or a hardcore crafter, there is content for everyone, clearly rated from basic to advanced. Plus, many videos include free access to supply lists, step-by-step directions, and printable patterns (usually held behind payment walls on other sources).

So skip the ads and take advantage of this hidden gem among your library’s resources. Then share the word, and spread the joy of ad-free, stress-free, subscription-free crafting!

Allegheny County Public Libraries | Creativebug

– Heather Auman, Western Allegheny Community Library

SAT®/ACT® Essentials Test Prep
Your patrons get 24/7, no-cost access to The Princeton Review SAT/ACT Essentials self-paced courses. These feature:

• 20 full-length practice tests
• Detailed score reports
• Video lessons
• Practice drills
• College planner tool
• …and of course don’t forget online help from real tutors every day from 12 pm to 12 am

Download the SAT®/ACT® Essentials Test Prep below and share it with you patrons. Test Time is Fast Approaching!

https://tutor.com/clpgh

~ Hilary Lewis, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

We all know how great (and popular) Mango Languages is – and for good reason! It’s a great resource.

However, there is another language learning resource that we and our patrons can utilize and that’s Transparent Language available through Power Library.

There are many languages to choose from.

Many even offer lessons geared to people who speak another language other than English.

You can sign in as a guest or set up an account which is helpful as it will keep track of your progress.

Be sure to take some time to poke around the site and see if there is a language you would like to learn!

Tracy – Monroeville Public Library