Leisure Learner
Discover a new hobby or skill.
Access free and flexible online learning with your library card.
Topics to discover
in this Learning Pathway
Music
Learn how to play an instrument and compose your own music.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Gain an understanding of rhythm, melody, and harmony while exploring the piano keyboard. Learn how to read, write and play simple pieces of music. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner-Intermediate | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Build basic guitar skills step-by-step with hands-on exercises, audio and video recordings and detailed illustrations. Become the musician you've always wanted to be. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 2 hours 11 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn the fundamentals of ukulele from Grammy-winning artist Daniel Ho. Discover how to change chords, read music notation and approach music theory concepts. Start strumming reggae, soul and Hawaiian tunes.
Drawing and Painting
Gain the skills needed to create eye-catching artwork from sketches to paintings.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Gain a solid foundation and understanding of the basics of drawing, including perspective, layout, design, lighting, volume and space. Become the artist you've always dreamed you could be. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner-Intermediate | LinkedIn Learning | 26 hours | Certificate Eligible
Learn how to refine, enhance and enrich what you illustrate. Explore additional sketching techniques, working with perspective, factoring for light, rendering shadows and more.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 3 hours 14 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn acrylic painting methods, the simplest way for a beginner to learn how to paint. Discover underpainting and glazing to impasto and textural effects.
Beginner-Intermediate | LinkedIn Learning | 4 hour 18 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn techniques for tackling light and colour harmony within acrylic landscapes. Create a large, impressionistic painting of a skyline in Venice, Italy.
Intermediate | LinkedIn Learning | 4 hours 3 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn how to paint evocative landscapes by recreating the colour palettes of nature. Discover painting techniques to quickly capture the mood of a landscape.
Yoga and Meditation
Discover methods to relax your mind and body.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 33 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn basic stretches, bends and exercises that you can do at your desk. Improve your posture, strengthen your muscles and joints, increase blood flow, and feel strong and energetic.
Intermediate | Gale Courses | 8 hours | Certificate Eligible
Learn to harness the power of mindfulness for long-term benefits in relationships, productivity and health. You'll also lay the foundation for a career in health and wellness coaching. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 36 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn guided meditation and movement exercises to relax your body and mind. Discover techniques to clear your mind, center yourself and relieve pain and fatigue.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 57 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn how to make transformational changes to live with less stress, greater well-being and enhanced productivity. Discover the benefits of meditation and sleep.
Writing Fiction & Non-Fiction
Learn the creative and technical skills needed to write engaging fiction and get it published. Expand on your non-fiction writing skills.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn how to write clearly and persuasively in both personal and professional contexts. This course is facilitated by an instructor and is a perfect choice for students who speak English as a second language.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn how to write a successful young adult story and get it published. If you've dreamed of becoming an author, this is your chance. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner-Intermediate | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn how to structure novels and stories for greater dramatic effect. Each assignment will help you create your own original novel and write like a pro. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner-Intermediate | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn how to craft characters romance readers will love and weave a plot that grabs their interest from page one. Start writing in the top selling fiction genre. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn the skills of a travel writer. Discover how to translate what you see, hear, taste, touch, smell and feel into articles and books you can publish. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner-Intermediate | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn invaluable tricks from the published writer's toolbox to liberate the genius within you. If you've ever dreamed of writing a book, this can make it happen. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Genealogy & Memoir Writing
Uncover your family’s history and record your own life story for future generations.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn the step-by-step process of writing your life story, including how to bring characters to life, recall vivid memories and engage readers. Create the story only you can tell. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn a seven-step process that will ease you into writing a journal. Discover different types of journaling, techniques and exercises to express yourself and develop your creativity. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Dig deep into your family's past by learning the genealogy research process and using subscription-based websites available to you while enrolled in this course. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Additional Resources
We suggest
Sewing and embroidery
Access sewing equipment for free at the library's fabrication studio. Staff are available to help you get started.
We suggest
Ancestry Library Edition
Genealogy tool with birth, marriage and death records and Census of Canada records.
We suggest
Borrow a Musical Instrument
Borrow an instrument (guitar, ukulele, bongo, violin, and more) for free with a valid library card.