For this week’s column I’m back to touting library services because we have added a new database that I think is useful for our job seekers and those just looking to work on some of their existing skills. KnowledgeCity focuses on professional development, offering over 13,000 online video tutorials on a variety of topics. Specifically, KnowledgeCity boasts courses on business, computers, safety, compliance, and finance on their homepage; within these broad topics are more focused courses that cater to any number of areas of interest.
This database, or platform, is great for individuals who are looking to improve their skills; but it also offers something for employers. Businesses that need their employees to have specific certifications, or need to further training, can set their members up with an account which will provide a completion certificate upon the conclusion of the assigned course. A feature that might prove particularly useful in the safety and compliance areas.
If you’re an individual looking to improve, or gain, specific skills then this learning platform might be perfect for you as well. There is no time limit on completing a course so you can learn at your own pace. Your progress through a course is saved to your individual account. And, with a library card, access is free. To login you simply type in your library card number as your user ID and your PIN number is the same PIN you use to log into your library account. If you don’t remember your PIN, we can give it to you!
In the browsing I did while researching for this column, I found a number of interesting offerings in the business and computer courses. I think I’ll even take a few because I like to think that you never stop learning, and I could probably improve several of my own skills! I encourage you to wander through the list of courses yourself to see what could help you. KnowledgeCity is available in the library, at home, and even as an app you can download on your device. Let us know if you have questions and happy learning!
Reminder: All locations are closed on Thursday, July 4 for Independence Day.
Coming Up: 
- Aulds, 742-2337   — Thursday, June 27 @ 2:00pm – Bowling in the Library, ages 6-12Â
- Benton, 965-2751   — Friday, June 28 @ 10:00am – Baby Laptime, ages 0-2Â
- Bossier Central, 746-1693    — Thursday, June 27 @ 4:00pm – Minute to Win It Challenge, all ages; Thursday, June 27 @ 6:00pm – Home Buying Made Simple, ages 18 and up; Friday, June 28 @ 4:00pm – Graphic Novel Groupies, ages 6-12
- East 80 , 949-2665   — Thursday, June 27 @ 3:30pm – Pages in the Park @ Tall Timbers Park, all agesÂ
- Haughton,  949-0196   — Thursday, June 27 @ 11:00am – Preschool Storytime: Moons & Stars, ages 0-5Â
- History Center, 746-7717  — Tuesday, July 2 @ 6:00pm – Pages Past Book Club: The Man from the Train: The Solving of a century-old Serial Killer Mystery by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James, ages 18 and up
- Plain Dealing, 326-4233   — Thursday, June 27 @ 2:00pm – Universe of Stories: Space Jeopardy, ages 18 and upÂ
- Tooke, 987-3915   — Thursday, June 27 @ 4:30pm – Little Bookworms: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, ages 6-8Â
What’s New:
- Every Man a Hero: A Memoir of D-Day, the First Wave at Omaha Beach, and a World at War by Ray Lambert & Jim DeFelice (Non-Fiction; Book)
- First: Sandra Day O’Connor, an Intimate Portrait of the First Woman Supreme Court Justice by Evan Thomas (Biography; Book)
- Outrages: Sex, Censorship, and the Criminalization of Love by Naomi Wolf (Non-Fiction; Book)
- Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon by Maxine Gordon (Biography; Book)
Annie Gilmer is Community Engagement  Librarian  for Bossier Parish Libraries
