Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. If you enjoy reading “Legalese”, here’s my full disclosure policy.
Alright, I promise you that’s not just a “click bait-ey” title, and not a ploy to funnel you to my affiliate link for CreativeBug (because I am an affiliate for them, and I do have an affiliate link).
However, this access to CreativeBug is absolutely free and I get absolutely nothing, other than the warm fuzzies for doing something nice by sharing this info with you (insert halo here 🙂 ).
Quick sidebar: I just finished watching “The Widow” on Amazon Prime. The story takes place in Wales. the Netherlands, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. How’s that for intriguing?
If you’re looking for something to binge on to just clear your mind temporarily from work and other stuff in these COVID lockdown days, this quick 8-part series tells a smart story with great twists and turns you won’t see coming.
With only 8 episodes, you also won’t have to make a long-term commitment; it’s just long enough to give you a nice break so you can get back to your regular life and everyday duties feeling nice and refreshed…
I know I do!
Okay, now back to CreativeBug.
If you go directly to their website at CreativeBug.com you’ll be given the option to sign up for a free trial and that’s all well and good.
Unfortunately it will only be for 7 days or 2 months (or whatever promotion they have going on at the time you visit the site) and then you’ll need to pay up to continue to have access to their library of classes and more after that (at the time I am writing this post, that cost is $7.95/month).
Well, public libraries to the rescue!
Did you know that your local public library gives you access to a plethora of online educational resources all for free? Absolutely free!
The only “cost” is your library card number, which, again from your public library, is absolutely free of charge!
Well, maybe not “free, free” because you do pay taxes… I hope. But, I digress.
It’s absolutely true!
I got the notification email from my own local library last week letting me know that they have added CreativeBug to their repository of online resources, this is in addition to other great resources they already provide us for free like:
- Lynda.com
- Gale Courses
- Rosetta Stone (yes, the insanely expensive language learning system)
- Treehouse
- And many more…
Guys… These resources are things you usually have to pay for on an ongoing basis and some cost premium prices!
But the library gives us access to their full offerings absolutely free. I for one have completed more courses on Lynda.com than I can count right now and I have never once been dinged for using it too much or too often.
It’s fantastic!
Now that CreativeBug is included I can’t wait to dive in and start devouring the content they produce and taking some classes I’ve had my eye on for a while now.
I am now inspired to finally bite the bullet and buy my Cricut Maker so I can finally learn how to engrave with it because one of my goals for 2020 was to give only handmade birthday gifts to friends and family this year. All made by me, myself, and I from scratch.
And I’ve wanted a Cricut for a while now but just didn’t know if I would find resources to learn how to use it to the max.
But What If My Library Doesn’t Offer This?
Well I’m glad you asked.
I told a friend of mine about having access free to Lynda.com through my local library, and when he checked with his own local library they didn’t have it!
What to do?
This is where I get to give you even more great news…!
These organizations have partnered with local libraries across the country to provide their services to library patrons.
I guess now would be a good time to say that I only know this to be true for U.S. residents; if you live outside America, I’m sorry but this may not be applicable to you.
If your local library (check both your city library and your county library… mine is through my county library) doesn’t offer it “yet” then ask them to get it.
My aforementioned friend lives in a different state than I do and he was able to let them know about this resource and guess what…? They got access from Lynda.com and now offer it to their local patrons!
All that to say, if your library does not yet give you free access to CreativeBug, ask them to sign up for it.
I do hope you go ahead and take advantage of this wonderful service and if you do, feel free to let me know in the comments section below what classes you plan on taking.