Learning & Self-study

Supporting learning in Libraries

Your local library gives you free access to thousands of books, fast internet-connected computers, staff trained in information skills and ICT, and much more to help you locate impartial, accurate information. The following materials and facilities are available to use in all RBWM libraries:

Computers with FREE Internet access and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
Online databases available to access for FREE either in the library or at home
Books on thousands of subjects (click here to access the Library Catalogue)
CD/cassette language courses
A level/GCSE/BTEC course guides on a variety of subjects
Life Skills books to help adults improve their reading, literacy & numeracy skills (see also the RaW and Quick Reads link)

If you need help locating or accessing any of this material please just ask a member of staff. You can also check for regular and one-off events such as ICT training on our Events and Promotions page.

Courses and Training

We can also help if you want to get on a course, gain a qualification, or job-related skills. There are careers collections and college prospectuses at Maidenhead and Windsor libraries available to look at. There are also two centres located in Maidenhead Library to help with your training and career needs. These are:

Centre for Developing Connections This centre provides information on careers, job searching, CV writing and interview skills.
Contact details: 1st Floor, Maidenhead Library, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1QU.
Tel: 01628 796013. Email: developing.connections@rbwm.gov.uk

Maidenhead Exchange Group This is a LearnDirect centre, acting as a Skills for Life Test Centre and offering Customer Services NVQ and an ITQ.
Contact details:1st Floor, Maidenhead Library, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1QU.
Tel: 01628 671809. Email: enquiries@exchangegroup.co.uk

Some Learning Web Links

BBC RaW
"A guide to developing better reading and writing skills"

BBC Webwise
"The Web made simple by the BBC"

BBC Skillswise
"Improve your English and maths with Skillswise. Factsheets, worksheets, quizzes and games to help improve your skills."

Berkshire College of Agriculture
"We are a regional College, providing specialist training, education and development"
Contact details: BCA, Hall Place, Burchetts Green, Maidenhead, SL6 6QR. Tel: 01628 824444. Email: Enquiries@bca.ac.uk

Bracknell and Wokingham College
"With over 20,000 enrolments the College is the main provider of post-16 education and training in South East Berkshire"
Contact details: Church Road, Bracknell, Berks, RD12 1DJ. Tel: 0845 330 3343

Centre for Developing Connections (CfDC)
"Information and advice on learning and training opportunities"
Contact details: 1st Floor, Maidenhead Library, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1QU. Tel: 01628 796013. Email: developing.connections@rbwm.gov.uk

Charters Adult Education
"Charters Adult Education offers a wide selection of courses, talks, workshops and demonstrations to suit all ages and interests"
Contact details: Charters School, Charters Road, Sunningdale, Berks, SL5 9QY. Tel: 01344 302614. Email: admin@charters-adult-ed.co.uk

DfES
"Department for Education and Skills"

East Berkshire College
"East Berkshire College is one of the largest further education college's in the south east. It has three main campuses in Langley (near Slough), Maidenhead and Windsor."
Contact details: Tel: 0845 3732500. Email: info@eastberks.ac.uk

Learn Direct (run by Maidenhead Exchange Group)
"Learndirect offers high quality learning at a time, place and pace to suit you. You choose what to learn, when to learn - and you can learn as quickly or as slowly as you like"
Contact details:1st Floor, Maidenhead Library, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1QU. Tel: 01628 671809. Email: enquiries@exchangegroup.co.uk

Lifelong Learning
"The leading web site for the encouragement, promotion and development of lifelong learning. Lifelong Learning is supported by the Access to Learning for Adults Division of the Department for Education and Skills"

Maidenhead and Windsor Learning Partnership
"The Partnership is a major initiative to coordinate education and training opportunities for people as they approach school-leaving age and the years ahead"

Next Step Berkshire
"Providing quality, imparital information, advice and guidance on learning and work" (Formerly known as IAG Berkshire).
Contact details: CfBT Advice and Guidance Ltd, 1st Floor, 69 High Street, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 1JX. Helpline: 0845 601 8595. Email: info@berkshire-iag.org.uk

UCAS
"Universities & Colleges Admissions Service for the UK"

Workers Education Association (WEA)
The WEA Southern Region has hundreds of courses running for adults who wish to take up a course of study or simply want to learn something new.
Contact details: Workers' Educational Association, 57 Riverside 2, Sir Thomas Longley Rd, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4DB. Tel: 01634 298 600. Email: southern@wea.org.uk