Creativebug 

CONTENT Creativebug for Libraries brings the experience of premium art courses to library users via a library subscription model that offers thousands of classes on art, crafting, and other forms of artistic expression through self-paced remote tutorials hosted by artists and creatives. Course subjects include: Art and Design; Sewing; Quilting; Paper; Knitting; Crochet; Food and Home; Jewelry; Holiday and Party; and Kids. There are also “Daily Practice” sessions centered around 30-day prompts to inspire artists to start a new creative habit. Course formats include beginners’ courses, multipart and quick courses, and introductory courses on technique. Creativebug Live classes are also available and with courses ranging from watercolor, to ProCreate, to basic mending, there’s a class for every level of experience and interest.

USABILITY Access to the Creativebug resource library is available via their website or the app on Apple and Google Play. App users can download and access classes wherever they want to create. To start, users log in with their library card number and PIN before being prompted to create an account and password for future logins. This allows them to select their favorite topics and curate their desired feed. Users can search for classes, images, or materials, or browse by category and topic to find their desired course or medium. The courses themselves are taught by experts and designed to take users from start to finish. The preview page lists the length of the course along with the instructor’s name, the course title, the rating, and the number of available reviews. There’s also a detailed description that lists required materials, learning objectives, and supplementary materials to download. Chapters are provided for all videos, making it easy for users to refer to a specific segment. Users can also save notes for future reference while watching a course, add a course to their watchlist, or view the member gallery to see what others have created after completing the class. A list of users who have taken it before makes it possible to make connections with others. On their profile page, users can find a list of courses they have completed, as well as their watchlist, gallery uploads, and projects they have favorited in the member gallery or community feed. Transcripts and closed captioning are available for all courses.

PRICING Pricing is based on library service area population and is divided into tiers. Special pricing for consortia is available upon request, and subscriptions are available for libraries in 12-month, 36-month, and prorated subscriptions to align with fiscal year, with a flat annual rate, billed annually.

VERDICT Creativebug is exactly what fans of Michaels Stores’ classes and Skillshare tutorials have been waiting for. It fills a critical gap in the library-learning space, particularly for public and school libraries. The library subscription model includes public performance rights, making it an excellent option for libraries that host community art classes for all ages.