37 Library courses in Edinburgh

Whether starting from scratch or beginning again as an adult after regretting giving up at an earlier age (a most common scenario!), I'm confident you will find what you need here to have a most satisfying hobby or interest that can be done at any age and at any time.

Join artist Julie Galante for an afternoon of homemade botanical inks made from foraged plants and kitchen scraps. In 2023 Julie dove into ink-making, producing more than 300 inks from over 100 different botanical sources. In this three-hour workshop, Julie will share what she’s learned from all these inky experiments, giving you the skills and knowledge to create your own library of botanical colours. She'll share her core learnings, including the best ways to extract colours, the best plants to use, and how to preserve and store your inks. We'll also cover different ways of finishing your inks depending on how you'd like to use them. Please note this workshop will take place in Julie's Stockbridge studio, which is accessible via three flights of stairs. We will also spend part of the workshop foraging outside, weather permitting, so please dress accordingly. Tea and coffee will be provided.

This course starts with the basics then moves seamlessly to an intermediate level. It includes a comprehensive yet balanced look at the four main components that make up Power BI Desktop: Report view, Data view, Model view, and the Power Query Editor. It also demonstrates how to use the online Power BI service. It looks at authoring tools that enables you to connect to and transform data from a variety of sources, allowing you to produce dynamic reports using a library of visualisations. Once you have those reports, the course looks at the seamless process of sharing those with your colleagues by publishing to the online Power BI service. The aim of this course is to provide a strong understanding of the Power BI analysis process, by working with real-world examples that will equip you with the necessary skills to start applying your knowledge straight away. 1 Getting started The Power BI process Launching Power BI Desktop The four views of Power BI Dashboard visuals 2 Connecting to files Connect to data sources Connect to an Excel file Connect to a CSV file Connect to a database Import vs. DirectQuery Connect to a web source Create a data table 3 Transforming data The process of cleaning data Column data types Remove rows with filters Add a custom column Append data to a table Fix error issues Basic maths operations 4 Build a data model Table relationships Manage table relationships 5 Merge queries Table join kinds Merging tables 6 Create report visualisations Creating map visuals Formatting maps Creating chart visuals Formatting chart Tables, matrixes, and cards Control formatting with themes Filter reports with slicers Reports for mobile devices Custom online visuals Export report data to Excel 7 The power query editor Fill data up and down Split columns by delimiter Add conditional columns Merging columns 8 The M formula Creating M functions Create an IF function Create a query group 9 Pivot and unpivot tables Pivot tables in the query editor Pivot and append tables Pivot but don't summarise Unpivot tables Append mismatched headers 10 Data modelling revisited Data model relationships Mark a calendar as a date table 11 Introduction to calculated columns New columns vs. measures Creating a new column calculation The SWITCH function 12 Introduction to DAX measures Common measure categories The SUM measure Adding measures to visuals COUNTROWS and DISINCTCOUNT functions DAX rules 13 The CALCULATE measure The syntax of CALCULATE Things of note about CALCULATE 14 The SUMX measure The SUMX measure X iterator functions Anatomy of SUMX 15 Introduction to time intelligence Importance of a calendar table A special lookup table The TOTALYTD measure Change year end in TOTALYTD 16 Hierarchy, groups and formatting Create a hierarchy to drill data Compare data in groups Add conditional formatting 17 Share reports on the web Publish to the BI online service Get quick insights Upload reports from BI service Exporting report data What is Q&A? Sharing your reports 18 Apply your learning Post training recap lesson

The IPAF operator course instructs a candidate to prepare and safely operate various types of MEWPs, also referred to as cherry pickers, aerial lifts or scissor lifts. Categories include Static Vertical (1a), Static Boom (1b), Mobile Vertical (3a), Mobile Boom (3b), Specialist Machines (SPECIAL), Push Around Vehicle (PAV), Insulated Aerial Device (IAD).Categories include Static Vertical (1a), Static Boom (1b), Mobile Vertical (3a), Mobile Boom (3b),

Embark on a journey to become a workplace hero with our comprehensive one-day First Aid course. This dynamic and engaging training program is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to handle emergency situations confidently and effectively.

Course Duration: Half-day or full-day (can also be delivered as a 3-part virtual workshop series) Target Audience: Professionals in non-technical roles (e.g. executive assistants, HR, marketing, project managers, operations staff, trainers, and admin support) who want to use generative AI to enhance their work—without needing coding skills. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand what generative AI is and how it works in plain language. Identify use cases relevant to their role or industry. Use popular generative AI tools (like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot) confidently. Write effective prompts to get better, more relevant results. Apply AI ethically and responsibly in the workplace. Course Outline Module 1: Demystifying Generative AI What is generative AI? (Plain language explanation) How AI models like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini work Examples of what generative AI can (and can’t) do Myths, risks, and benefits of AI in non-tech roles Module 2: Everyday Use Cases for Professionals Time-saving applications: Drafting emails, reports, meeting summaries Creating checklists, plans, or SOPs Enhancing creativity: Brainstorming ideas for events, campaigns, or training Writing social media posts, newsletters, or job ads Organising information: Summarising documents Structuring spreadsheets or creating templates Supporting communication: Improving tone and clarity Translating or simplifying content Module 3: Prompting Essentials What is a “prompt” and why does it matter? How to write clear, specific, and effective prompts Prompting frameworks (e.g., “Role–Task–Goal” method) Live practice: transforming a vague prompt into a powerful one Troubleshooting: when AI gives poor answers and how to improve them Module 4: Hands-On Exploration Try-it-yourself exercises using ChatGPT or Gemini (guided) Real workplace examples and team challenges Create an AI-generated email, checklist, or idea list Optional: use industry-specific examples (e.g., HR, admin, events, comms) Module 5: Responsible AI Use at Work Understanding AI limitations and biases Protecting privacy and sensitive data When not to use AI Workplace policies and guidelines (customisable for your organisation) Ethical use: attribution, transparency, and human review Module 6: Getting Started in Your Role Tools overview: free vs paid options (ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini) Building your own AI toolkit Tips for staying up to date as tools evolve 30-day challenge: how to build AI into your daily workflow Delivery Style Highly interactive, practical, and low-jargon No coding or tech background required Hands-on demos, guided practice, and scenario-based activities Group discussion and peer learning Course Materials Provided Quick-start guide: Top 10 prompts for non-tech roles AI Prompt Library for your job type Do’s and Don’ts for ethical use of AI at work “AI in Action” workbook with examples and checklists Personal AI Action Plan Optional Add-ons Team-based AI hackathon (mini workplace challenge) Tailored follow-up webinar for Q&A and deeper use cases Co-branded playbook for organisational AI use Integration with digital transformation or innovation initiatives

Course Duration: Half-day or full-day (can also be delivered as a 3-part virtual workshop series) Target Audience: Professionals in non-technical roles (e.g. executive assistants, HR, marketing, project managers, operations staff, trainers, and admin support) who want to use generative AI to enhance their work—without needing coding skills. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand what generative AI is and how it works in plain language. Identify use cases relevant to their role or industry. Use popular generative AI tools (like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot) confidently. Write effective prompts to get better, more relevant results. Apply AI ethically and responsibly in the workplace. Course Outline Module 1: Demystifying Generative AI What is generative AI? (Plain language explanation) How AI models like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini work Examples of what generative AI can (and can’t) do Myths, risks, and benefits of AI in non-tech roles Module 2: Everyday Use Cases for Professionals Time-saving applications: Drafting emails, reports, meeting summaries Creating checklists, plans, or SOPs Enhancing creativity: Brainstorming ideas for events, campaigns, or training Writing social media posts, newsletters, or job ads Organising information: Summarising documents Structuring spreadsheets or creating templates Supporting communication: Improving tone and clarity Translating or simplifying content Module 3: Prompting Essentials What is a “prompt” and why does it matter? How to write clear, specific, and effective prompts Prompting frameworks (e.g., “Role–Task–Goal” method) Live practice: transforming a vague prompt into a powerful one Troubleshooting: when AI gives poor answers and how to improve them Module 4: Hands-On Exploration Try-it-yourself exercises using ChatGPT or Gemini (guided) Real workplace examples and team challenges Create an AI-generated email, checklist, or idea list Optional: use industry-specific examples (e.g., HR, admin, events, comms) Module 5: Responsible AI Use at Work Understanding AI limitations and biases Protecting privacy and sensitive data When not to use AI Workplace policies and guidelines (customisable for your organisation) Ethical use: attribution, transparency, and human review Module 6: Getting Started in Your Role Tools overview: free vs paid options (ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini) Building your own AI toolkit Tips for staying up to date as tools evolve 30-day challenge: how to build AI into your daily workflow Delivery Style Highly interactive, practical, and low-jargon No coding or tech background required Hands-on demos, guided practice, and scenario-based activities Group discussion and peer learning Course Materials Provided Quick-start guide: Top 10 prompts for non-tech roles AI Prompt Library for your job type Do’s and Don’ts for ethical use of AI at work “AI in Action” workbook with examples and checklists Personal AI Action Plan Optional Add-ons Team-based AI hackathon (mini workplace challenge) Tailored follow-up webinar for Q&A and deeper use cases Co-branded playbook for organisational AI use Integration with digital transformation or innovation initiatives