Learning & development

Get digital help

Come along to our digital device and online help sessions where you can get personal assistance, ask questions and learn in a relaxed friendly environment. For upcoming workshops near you, visit our What's on calendar.

Get connected and learn digital skills with our free online resources and workshops for all ages.

• The Computer School: Learn new skills with interactive tutorials covering basics in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and more. To learn more, log in to your library account.
• Be Connected: The Australian Government offers free courses on everything from how to access the internet, using your device and keeping safe online. Visit the Be Connected website.
• Mousing Around: Learn how to use a mouse and improve your mousing skills. This tutorial includes a practical 'mousercise' activity and games to help you build your confidence. Visit Mousing around.

If you prefer books, we have a great range of self-help books to help you get online and develop digital skills. Browse our library catalogue.

Or come along to our digital device and online help sessions where you can get personal assistance, ask questions and learn in a relaxed friendly environment. For upcoming workshops near you, visit our What's on calendar.

Adult literacy

For great books designed to develop adult literacy, browse our library catalogue. We also recommend the resources listed on the Reading Writing Hotline website.

Resources

Explore our online reference resources. Many are available only to library members. Subject areas include history and lifestyle, science and nature, and business and law. 

Community events

If you are looking for people with similar interests or hobbies, check out community-led events held at our libraries. To find out what’s on at your local library, download a copy of the community events calendar(PDF, 227KB) 

We have a large range of free resources to help you make the most of of your hobbies and interests.

Visit your local library for great hobby resources, including graphic novels and a range of musical scores for vocals, piano, guitar and other instruments.

Online resources

Discover resources to supercharge your hobby through our eLibrary. We have an extensive range of hobby magazines for you to download and are free to keep!

Try some of these great online resources:

• Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center: Find 'how-to' instructions and creative ideas for every hobby enthusiast. Topics include home and garden, model building, arts and crafts, needlecraft and textiles and more.
• LinkedIn Learning: Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills, including web design, photography, game design, animation, social media and more.
• Mango Languages: Choose from more than 70 languages including Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin and even Pirate!

Community events

If you are looking for people with similar interests or hobbies, check out community-led events held at our libraries. To find out what’s on at your local library, download a copy of the community events calendar(PDF, 227KB)

English Conversation Circles

Are you looking to improve your English speaking skills? Conversation groups are a great way to practice your English and meet new people. We host weekly English Conversation Circles in person. Come join us in a safe, welcoming and relaxed environment. To find a group near you, visit our What's on calendar

Whether you are new to English, are bilingual, or just prefer to read in your native language, we have a range of resources in different languages to help keep you informed and entertained.

Our library collection has a dedicated LOTE (Languages other than English) collection, which includes print books in a selection of over 20 languages.

Explore our library catalogue for resources in the following languages:

• Afrikaans
• Chinese
• Croatian
• Dutch
• Finnish
• French
• German
• Greek
• Gujarati
• Hindi
• Indonesian
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Malayalam
• Maori
• Norwegian
• Persian
• Polish
• Romanian
• Russian
• Serbian
• Slovak
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Tamil
• Thai
• Vietnamese

If you are looking for resources and reading material in a language that is not listed here, please contact us and our collections team may be able to access additional resources from the State Library of Queensland.

Digital resources in other languages

If you prefer to read online, we also have a range of eBook, eAudiobook, eMagazines and eNewspapers that are available in different community languages across our digital resources. You can download and read or listen direct from your device!

Read a great variety of international newspapers and magazines on the PressReader app, or visit DragonSource to access thousands of Chinese-language magazines.

Use LOTE4Kids to find digital picture books and enjoy storytime in your language. Download the app and take storytime with you wherever you go.

Choose IELTS General or IELTS Academic for English language skills training tests when migrating to English-speaking countries like Australia and New Zealand or for studying/training below degree level. The test includes Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

At AMES, learn English, vocational training and access Workforce Australia recruitment services.

Cultural diversity

Find out more about the support available for multicultural residents on the Gold Coast on our Cultural diversity page.

We have a collection of learning and development resources for people of all ages and abilities. Each library has a great range of resources and you can borrow up to 10 items at a time with your library membership.

You can browse, borrow, collect and return these items at any Gold Coast Library (excluding the Mobile Library and the Ormeau Community Lounge & Library).

We have learning and development resources for people of all ages and abilities.

You can browse, borrow, collect and return these items from any Gold Coast Library (excluding the Mobile Library and the Ormeau Community Lounge & Library). Each library has a great range of resources. You can borrow up to 10 items at a time.

We have items to help with:

• skills and strength (coordination, focus, strength)
• games and puzzles (turn taking, memory, social skills)
• language (literacy, spelling, writing, talking, reading, communication)
• maths and numbers (counting, money)
• tactile and sensory (touch, feel, sounds)
• growth and wellbeing (living skills, self-care, healthy foods).

Visit our Accessible collection catalogue