By Charles Lefebvre

Shortgrass Library System adds access to online courses

Jan 23, 2017 | 9:15 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Library users across southeast Alberta will have new access to learning and courses through their library card.

The Shortgrass Library System, which includes the Medicine Hat, Redcliff and Brooks libraries, recently acquired Gale Courses for library patrons to utilize. The program gives access to instructor-led, online courses for free for people who have a library card at any of the libraries.

“We are so excited about this,” said CEO Petra Mauerhoff.

Gale Courses, part of Cengage Learning, are usually six weeks in length, with two sessions per week. People taking the courses complete quizzes at different points and end the course with a final exam. Mauerhoff says some of the courses even have a certificate at the end for successful completion.

Mauerhoff said the courses have been available for library users since Jan. 13, and says response has been positive so far. In the first week of the courses being available, more than 55 users in the area have signed up.

Steam-powered passenger train to pass through Medicine Hat on Saturday

55m ago

Medicine Hat Public Library Comic Con taking place May 4

3h ago

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

Apr 25, 2024

Mauerhoff says a variety of subjects are available for library users to study, including gardening, health, business accounting programs, statistics and photography, the latter of which has seen the most people signing up.

“There’s really something for everyone,” she said.

Mauerhoff says having the program is beneficial for the library users in the region, because it gives them access to education materials, all for the cost of a library membership.

“Some people, who might have been experiencing barriers to accessing education because of lack of funds, or maybe they were laid off and don’t really know what to do and want to explore which direction to take their lives, anyone can take these courses,” she said. “It’s really just access for all residents; that’s what I’m excited about.”

With many of the libraries in Shortgrass serving smaller communities, being able to access the courses from your local library or your home computer is the biggest benefit.

“If you’re all the way up in Foremost, it’s going to be rough for you to come and take courses at Medicine Hat College, or anywhere,” said Mauerhoff.

Gale Courses can be accessed at www.shortgrass.ca/learning.