Digital Library

It’s Puzzling!

The most enticing part of the newspaper isn’t always the headlines on the front. For many, it’s the puzzles in the back.

The benefits of puzzles are numerous. They combine the fun of an engaging game, the thrill of a formidable challenge and the relaxation of a mindful daily ritual. Puzzles such as crosswords and sudoku have stood the test of time and can deliver real benefits. A large-scale and widely-reported study conducted by the University of Exeter and King’s College London tested the attention, memory and reasoning skills of more than 19,000 participants aged 50 and over. On average, those who regularly did these classic puzzles had the brain function of someone ten years younger and the short-term memory of someone eight years younger.

For some, puzzles represent a peaceful, solitary endeavor — a daily ritual with a morning coffee, a way to relax while maintaining focus during a study break or a stimulating way to pass the time while travelling.

For others, puzzles are an opportunity for social engagement. Friends or colleagues may challenge each other for fun, competing to see who can solve the day’s puzzle the fastest or make the fewest mistakes.

From crosswords to codewords and wordsearches to sudoku, PressReader offers a daily selection of classic newspaper puzzles. So, PressReader users can now get their favorite newspapers, magazines, books and puzzles all in one platform.

Brush Up Your Computer Skills

Whether you simply want to feel more confident using your computer for personal use, or whether you want to refresh ready for a new job opportunity – Universal Class can help.

With over 35 courses covering a wide range of computer skills available to you free of charge through your library membership, you are sure to find the perfect course for you.

Simple to use, you select the training course you would like to study and off you go. The summary tells you how long each course will be and gives you an overview of the course and lessons. It could not be easier!

So contact your local library today and ask about Universal Class and you could unlock your inner computer genius.

Reward-driven Learning

Language learning for children should be playful, exciting and full of fun. That’s why the Lote4Kids app includes reward-driven learning features designed to keep young learners motivated and engaged from their very first story.

Meet Lekti and the Feathers of Progress: in the free Lote4Kids app, children earn feathers by reading books, playing games and completing quizzes. These feathers can be traded for fun accessories to personalise their very own Lekti, a cheerful language-learning friend who grows with them. From silly hats and glasses to mix-and-match tops and bottoms, they can style their Lekti however they want.

Reward-driven learning uses positive reinforcement to make progress feel meaningful and fun. Whether it’s earning points or unlocking a new challenge, these small incentives help children stay focused and build consistent reading habits, with an added sense of achievement.

Try this modern way to blend language, literacy and play – all accessible with your library membership.

Celebrate Russian Language Day

UN Russian Language Day is observed annually on June 6. The event was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2010. UN Russian Language Day coincides with the birthday of Alexander Pushkin, a Russian poet who is considered the father of modern Russian language.

Run, hide from my sight, Oh weak queen of Cythera! Where are you, where are you, storm of kings, Proud singer of Freedom? —Come, tear the wreath from me, Smash the delicate lyre…I want to sing Freedom to the world, And strike vice upon thrones.

Беги, сокройся от очей, Цитеры слабая царица! Где ты, где ты, гроза царей, Свободы гордая певица? —Приди, сорви с меня венок, Разбей изнеженную лиру…Хочу воспеть Свободу миру, На тронах поразить порок.

Let’s be honest… Cyrillic looks intimidating. But with Transparent Language Online? It’s just another beautiful alphabet waiting to be mastered.

Start your journey from “nyet” to “da” today! Free with your library card.

A Good Read

There is nothing quite like finishing all those boring old chores and putting your feet up with a nice cuppa and the latest edition of your favourite magazine.

PressReader is a wonderful service available from your local library. You can now read your choice of magazines straight from your tablet absolutely free of charge. Like the latest Good Housekeeping for example.

Read all about the shocking real life story of one mans search for his birth mother and what he discovered about the shocking treatment she experienced. All of a sudden that laundry you have to do won’t feel so much of a burden when you read how young women were forced to carry heavy washing baskets when they were eight months pregnant!

So why not enjoy your favourite magazine with PressReader. Call your library today to get access.

Focus on Spanish

Spoken by over 480 million native speakers, Spanish is the world’s second most spoken language. Originating from the Iberian Peninsula, it has evolved over centuries, influenced by cultures like Arabic, which contributed thousands of words. Today, Spanish continues to shape global literature, music, and culture.

Spanish Language Day: Celebrated every April 23, this day honours the global impact and cultural legacy of Spanish through storytelling, music, and community events. It’s a chance to recognise Spanish as a language of expression, creativity, and connection across continents. In the spirit of the celebration, explore the Spanish collection in LOTE4Kids and enjoy bilingual stories that bring the language to life!

Fun Fact: Spanish doesn’t mess around when it comes to long words — just look at anticonstitucionalmente! This 23-letter tongue twister means “in an unconstitutional way,” and it’s one of the longest words in the language. It might not come up in everyday conversation, but it’s a fun reminder of how flexible (and dramatic!) Spanish can be. Think you can say it five times fast? ¡Buena suerte!

Spend Time with TIME

You can now access TIME International through the PressReader application available from your local library.

TIME magazine brings you the top stories from around the globe and covers the most critical issues that impact our lives. Each issue of TIME is packed with news, commentary and analysis of current events.

The International Edition provides a broad perspective focusing on international affairs, politics, business, health, science and entertainment.

Press Reader is a comprehensive offering of newspapers and magazines from around the world. This wonderful service is available to you, for no cost at all, through your local Library digital offering. Simply click onto the Press Reader link from your library website, and use your library card number/pin to login.

10 Reasons to learn a new language.

There are many reasons to learn a new language. Here’s ten excellent reasons, as reported by Ithaca College, to tempt you to dip your toe in a new language.

Personal Growth: Learning a new language is challenging, leading learners to have to re-think their strengths, weaknesses, and how they learn. Language study also helps students to develop new interests.
Enhanced Communication Skills: Learning a new language helps you learn how to listen and respond better to others. It helps you learn how to pay attention to social cues, contexts, and body language.
Career Opportunities: Recent research suggests that bilingual employees can earn between 5% and 20% more money per hour than those who speak only one language. Additionally, international opportunities open up to bilingual employees.
Cultural Enrichment: Learning a new language encourages individuals to learn about associated histories, politics, and cultures. Language study also encourages individuals to become engaged in activities they might otherwise never discover.
Educational Opportunities: Bilingual individuals oftentimes are selected over monolingual individuals to participate in special educational opportunities (study abroad, selection for workshops, scholarships, etc.).
Cognitive Benefits: Bilingual people often have better attention and task-switching capacities than monolingual counterparts. They may also be more creative, have better metalinguistic awareness, and be better at developing visual-spatial skills.
Social Connections: People who speak more than one language automatically gain the capacity to connect with more people. Creating social relationships leads to building closer business and community connections with each other.
Travel and Exploration: Learning a new language often spurs interest in travel. Language learners often wish to travel to distant places to get to know them, and those who live there, more personally.

This fantastic language service is available free from your local library, so if you want to enjoy the top ten benefits of learning a new language – pop in and ask about Transparent Languages Online today.

Right-to-left Flipbooks from Lote4Kids

LOTE4Kids is excited to announce the launch of a new feature supporting right-to-left (RTL) scripts, used in widely spoken languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian. Our RTL flipbooks align with the natural reading direction, enhancing comfort, literacy development, and cultural authenticity for a more engaging experience.

Explore them now in Arabic, Dari, Hebrew, Pashto, Persian and Urdu. Enjoy this free service from your local library – just ask for Lote4Kids.

Impress this Easter

Would you like to impress your friends with your newly learnt skills at cake decorating? With Easter around the corner, now is the perfect time to take on a new challenge and channel your inner artist.

Visit Universal Class, free from your local library, and get all the information you need to become a contender for Bake-Off Super Star this Easter. The Cake Decorating course is absolutely free and teaches you everything you need to know.

This is more than a course-it’s a transformation. It’s about finding the joy in creating something beautiful, embracing your unique style, and sharing your creations with the world. By the end of this course, you won’t just be following recipes; you’ll be confidently crafting your own visions and bringing them to life in stunning, unforgettable cakes.

So contact your local library today and ask about Universal Class and you could blow your friends away with your decorating skills this Easter.