Universal Class – Digital Library

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.

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.

Kick Start Your New Year Resolution

Every New Year people around the world make resolutions, many of which are based around recovering from the excesses of the festive period. Often the best of intentions fail to lead to a longer term lifestyle change.

This year, why not check out Universal Class and embark on a free training course to help and encourage you with your resolution, and which could be the difference between success and failure.

Universal Class is a free service available from your local library, and offers hundreds of fantastic courses across a wide range of subjects.

Like their course on Nutrition which promises a transformative journey, enlightening students on the nuances of nutrition and exercise. Whether your goal is weight management, increased vitality, or merely enhancing overall health, this course is the comprehensive guide to unlock your optimal health potential.

A Low Cost Christmas

With the cost of living going through the roof, now is the time to channel your inner creative and make ‘home made’ Christmas gifts. Not only will you get the pleasure of creating something beautiful, but you will save a pretty penny too.

Take a look at the classes available on Universal Class – free from your local library. Like the Soap Making Mastery course;

“Imagine turning a simple blend of oils, scents, and ingredients into beautifully handcrafted bars that delight the senses and nourish the skin. Soap Making Mastery isn’t just another online course-it’s an invitation to embark on a journey where creativity meets precision, where the ancient art of soap crafting becomes your new passion and, potentially, a thriving business. This course is designed for anyone with the desire to create something unique-whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced artisan looking to refine your skills.”

Here are the learning outcomes you should be able to master at course completion:

Summarize soap making history.
Summarize the science of making soap.
Make soaps.
Summarize signature soap recipes.
Describe making special soaps.
Describe problems with making soap.
Summarize the business of selling your soaps.

Pop into your library today and ask to find out more about Universal Class – your purse will thank you, and all the friends who receive beautiful hand made soap will also thank you.

Avoid Sewing Disasters!

It’s that time of year when your lovely little ones come home from school and utter those words you dread – “I need a costume for the school Halloween party.”

No need to panic! Visit Universal Class, free from your local library, and get all the information you need to become a Super Mum Sewing Queen. The Sewing 101 course is absolutely free and teaches you everything you need to know.

Lesson One: Sewing Basics: • Pins, Needles and Thread • Scissors for cutting, clipping and other cutting tools • The Importance of Pressing • Staying Organized
Lesson Two: Your Sewing Machine: • Types of Sewing Machines • Anatomy of a Sewing Machine • Bobbins and Their Problems • Maintenance
Lesson Three: Fabric: • Types of Fabric • Warp, Weft, Nap, Right vs. Wrong Side • Selvage • Choosing Fabric for Your Garment • Tricky Fabrics to Sew
Lesson Four: All About Patterns: • Choosing a Pattern • Deciphering the Pattern Envelope • Fabric Plus the Extras • Layout Deciphered
Lesson Five: Hand Sewing: • Threading the needle • Basting • Hemming • Buttons • Decorative Touches
Lesson Six: Pattern Adjustments: • Basic Pattern Fitting and Adjustments • Adjusting Tops • Adjusting Pants and Skirts • Fitting a Pattern, Muslin Mockup
Lesson Seven: Pattern Layout: • Pattern Preparation • Choosing the right pieces • What the markings mean • Cutting out the pattern
Lesson Eight: Sewing Pajamas: • Choosing Thread • Seam Allowances/Finishes • Sleeves, Gathered, or Straps • Elastic • Hems
Lesson Nine: Sewing an Unlined Jacket: • Preparation • Pattern Alterations • Button Loop • Collar/Lapel/Facing • Button • Hem
Lesson 10: Sewing a Skirt – Part 1: • Fitting Skirts • Pattern Layout • Marking • Darts
Lesson 11: Sewing a Skirt – Part II: • Back Vent • Center Zipper, Finishing • Waistband Facing, Interfacing • Hems Around Vents
Lesson 12: Sewing a Shirt or Blouse – Part I: • Pattern Markings • Interfacing • Shoulder Seams • Collar • Cuffs
Lesson 13: Sewing a Shirt or Blouse – Part II: • Cuffs • Buttonholes • Sleeves • Hems
Lesson 14: Sewing Pants – Part I: • Fitting Pants • Pattern Marking • Center Front • Inner/Outer Leg Seams • Lapped Zipper
Lesson 15: Sewing Pants – Part II: • Lapped Zipper • Waistband • Hem – Machine Blindstitch

So now you have no excuse, and your little one will be the Belle of Halloween.

Improve Your Computer Skills

In our modern era, computers have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of our daily lives. From business operations to personal tasks, these machines have become indispensable. For many, this transition happened so rapidly that they felt left behind. If you’ve ever felt daunted by the prospect of navigating the digital realm or simply wished for a clearer understanding of how your devices work, then the computer basics course from Universal Class is tailor-made for you.

By the culmination of this course, you won’t just be a user; you’ll be an informed and confident navigator of the digital world. Whether you aim to apply these skills in a professional setting or simply wish to enrich your personal experiences, this foundation will serve you well in our increasingly digitized society.

Universal Class is a free programme available from your local library. You can choose from hundreds of free online courses to enhance your personal development goals. Pop into your library today to find out more.

Time for a Career Change?

We have all been there – you enjoy your summer holiday and then have to go back to a job you are no longer enjoying. Thoughts about a change of career enter your head.

If you are looking for a new path, then Universal Class is a great starting point. You can explore a myriad of different courses to get a better understanding of different career paths and discover whether you will enjoy it and even more importantly whether you have an aptitude for it. These courses are absolutely free of charge – simply visit your local library to get signed up.

There are hundreds of free courses to choose from, like ‘Accounting101’ for example;

Course Overview:

This extensive online course, “Accounting and Bookkeeping 101”, is meticulously crafted with the novice in mind. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a professional seeking to broaden your financial literacy, our course offers a comprehensive exploration into accounting, ensuring you grasp the essential foundations. Designed for those with little to no prior knowledge, our modules delve deep into fundamental principles, illustrated with rich examples to aid comprehension.

Get Great Green Fingers

The summer is upon us and finally the weather is improving. Being able to spend time in the garden is great, but it also means you notice how much your garden needs some attention.

Why not take a free course in Landscaping to help you learn how to make the most of your outdoor space. Universal Class is a great free service available from your local library. Offering hundreds of courses to choose from, which you can study from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. Courses like ‘Landscaping101’ for example;

From Canvas to Masterpiece: Learn to visualize barren plots and aging yards as opportunities waiting for your transformative touch. Equip yourself to reimagine and reinvigorate these spaces into lush, captivating sanctuaries.
Laying the Blueprint: Dive deep into design principles. From harmony and color to proportion and lines, decode the secrets of creating balanced, eye-catching layouts.
Foundations of Assessment: Every space narrates a story. Learn to listen. Determine the underlying needs, the core purpose of the landscape, and chart out the journey from concept to creation.
Strategic Planning: Translate visions into actionable steps. Be it choosing to collaborate with professionals or taking a DIY route, our comprehensive modules encompass it all.
Common Pitfalls & Their Evasion: Mistakes can be expensive. Acquaint yourself with common errors in landscaping and arm yourself with strategies to sidestep them, ensuring a smooth-sailing project execution.
Maximizing Existing Potential: Not every space needs a complete overhaul. Sometimes, enhancing existing elements can work wonders. Learn the art of optimization and rejuvenation.

Visit your local library today to find out how you can get started with Universal Class.

Looking For a New Challenge?

Spring is finally here and now we can shrug off those winter blues we are all looking for some exciting new adventures and challenges.

There is a great new service available from your local library which allows you to do courses in a huge range of topics, totally free of charge and at your own pace. Ask your local librarian about Universal Class to find out more.

Simple to use, you just 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. So if you fancy trying your hand at something new, like this course on Cake Decorating, take a look ….

In the heart of every cake lies a story waiting to be told, and the brush that paints this narrative is cake decorating. It’s the canvas where art meets culinary, and a blank cake is your opportunity to tell tales of love, celebrations, and milestones. Are you ready to embark on this delectable journey? Let’s dive into the magical realm of cake decorating, where every swirl of icing and sprinkle of glitter transports you into a world of wonder.

You can even submit ‘homework’ and a ‘live’ tutor will review your work and provide feedback and results to you.

So if you are looking to broaden your horizons this Spring, speak to your local librarian about Universal Class.