I’m currently reading Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal, a story about a young Indian-English woman who takes a job teaching a writing class to a group of older Southeast Asian women in London’s Southall community. While the women have arrived at the class with the intention of sharpening their English skills, they soon find inspiration in a dirty pulp fiction book to craft their own erotic stories with their instructor’s help. I enjoy the story so far not only for its humorous moments but also in seeing how the different characters evolve as the class progresses and what they learn about themselves through the practice of storytelling.

If you’re looking for a continuing education opportunity or new platform to apply your experience, the Pittsburgh area and the Library offer many outlets to assist with this endeavor. From noncredit classes to valuable volunteer positions, the options are boundless for finding a new pastime or passion. Check out these resources for getting started:

CCAC Community Education
Community College of Allegheny County is now registering for their Fall 2017 catalog of noncredit Community Education courses covering a variety of skills and topics. Students can take classes ranging from cooking and the arts to more specific interests such as local history. To register and pay for courses, visit shopcommunityed.ccac.edu.

Volunteering with the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
For both tutoring and other opportunities, the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council is always accepting applications for new volunteers to assist those in need of adult education. You can help make a difference in the lives of students looking to learn English as a second language, receive their GED, learn basic computer skills, and acquire other competencies. For more information, call GPLC’s main office at 412.393.7600.

Lynda.com
Available through your CLP library card subscription, learn a new skill right from your home computer or any CLP location! Lynda.com provides thousands of online tutorials offering instruction on a wide spectrum of technology and business related topics. Users can browse tutorials based on skill level, topic, and software needed to perform the task. Create an account with your library card number to get started!