• By Nicole Harterink
• Posted Monday, July 7, 2025

Chart your course to success with Coursera

The Forsyth County Public Library is part of a free State Library of North Carolina pilot program for Coursera, an online learning website that offers thousands of courses and certificates from top universities and companies across the world. (Full degree programs are not part of the Coursera pilot program).

Coursera envisions a world where anyone, anywhere has the power to transform their lives through learning. Coursera highlights include:

• Diverse course catalog: Coursera partners with top universities and institutions worldwide and offers a wide range of courses, specializations, and degrees in various fields like technology, business, arts, and more.
• Flexible learning: Coursera's platform allows for flexible learning, with options to study at your own pace and fit learning into your schedule.
• Hands-on learning: Many Coursera courses include hands-on projects, labs, and assignments that allow you to apply your knowledge and develop practical skills.
• Career advancement: Coursera certificates are often valued by employers and can help learners advance their careers, get promoted, or even find new job opportunities.
• Accreditation (for some programs): While Coursera itself isn't an accredited institution, it hosts courses from accredited universities and institutions, and some programs (like degrees) are fully accredited.

Forsyth County Public Library cardholders can sign up for 90 days of free access during the SLNC pilot that runs through the end of 2025. Follow these steps to be part of the pilot:

1. Visit the SNLC Coursera pilot website.
2. Create an account.
3. Join the program.
4. Start learning!

Access to the Coursera pilot program will expire after 30 days of inactivity or 90 days of use, whichever occurs first. Speak with any Forsyth County Public Library staff member at a branch if you want to restore your access to your Coursera pilot program account.