BHM Regional Library is expanding its services to include free online continuing education classes.

The library that serves Beaufort, Hyde and Martin counties has partnered with Recorded Books to offer Universal Class, with access to more than 500 lifelong learning courses in more than 30 subjects, from law and legal services and entrepreneurship, to lighter subjects such as arts and music and pet and animal care. Many of the classes offer continuing education units, according to a BHM Library press release.

“If your job requires you to have continuing education, these credits fulfill those obligations to your employer,” said Amanda Corbett, director of BHM Regional Library. “The luxury is that if you have a computer at home, you can do this in your own time.”

Participants only need a BHM Library card to access the classes through the library’s website. Up to five classes can be taken at a time; each is designed and led by professional instructors and includes videos, assignments, quizzes, tests and options for social media interaction with other learners, according to the press release.

“There are professionals behind the scene grading the tests and also monitoring the classes,” Corbett said.

While participants could use the classes as a way to simply explore their own interests, Corbett said the availability can be valuable in a variety of ways.

“I believe it opens doors for the community because while the primary purpose is for the public to get continuing education credits for their jobs, it also opens doors to earn credits in something they’re interested in and expand their knowledge that could potentially help them get a better job,” Corbett said. “It increases their core skills.”

Corbett also pointed out that Universal Class could be a tool for those between high school and community college, trying to figure out where their career interests lie.

“If someone is unsure they could take a few classes and that could expand and open up their horizons,” she said.

BHM libraries are located in Aurora, Bath, Belhaven, Engelhard, Ocracoke, Robersonville, Washington and Williamston. For more information on how to access this service visit a BHM library, visit https://bhmlib.org/ or call the Washington Headquarters at 252-946-6401.