Course Catalog / BMU 001 / Lesson 5 of 5
BMU 001
Lesson 5: Where to get free help: library, adult education, BMU support
Quick review
1. Name one screen tool and what it does.
See the answer
Read aloud reads text to you. Bigger text makes words larger. Captions show what is said in a video.
2. Name two study tricks.
See the answer
Any two: quiz yourself, space it out, mix it up.
Why this matters
Strong learners ask for help.
In this lesson you will find free help, then put your whole learning plan on one page and use it for a week.
Start with what you already do
You already ask for help.
Common belief: Free help is only for kids, or for people in school.
What is actually true: Public libraries serve adults, and many offer free computers, WiFi, classes, and online learning with a library card. Free adult education programs teach reading, math, English, and computer skills to adults.
In this lesson you will
- Name one free learning help source near you
- Finish a one page learning plan
- Use your plan for 7 days and write a check in note
Key words
- library card
- A free card from your public library. It can open free books, classes, and online learning.
- adult education
- Free or low cost classes for adults in reading, math, English, computers, or a high school equivalency.
- check in
- A short note after 7 days about how your plan went.
Free help source 1: Your public library
A library card is free for people who live in the area. Ask the front desk what your card includes. Many libraries offer:
- Free computers, WiFi, and printing help
- Free online classes and practice tests
- Help from a librarian, in person or by chat
- Books and audiobooks you can borrow on your phone
Each library is different, so ask yours. To find it, use the IMLS library search.
Free help source 2: Adult education programs
Adult education programs teach adults reading, math, English, computer skills, and high school equivalency. Many are free. To find one, use the National Literacy Directory. Enter your ZIP code and what you want to learn. You can also call its free hotline: 1 877 389 6874.
Free help source 3: BMU support
If you are stuck in a BMU lesson, use the BMU help page. We do not give tutoring or legal, money, or health advice, but we will point you to free help.
Text version of this figure
Your one page learning plan. Five parts, then use it for 7 days.
- Step 1, Goal and course: One life goal and one BMU course.
- Step 2, Three study times: Day, time, and place for each.
- Step 3, Method: Quiz yourself and space it out.
- Step 4, Screen tool: Read aloud, bigger text, or captions.
- Step 5, Help source: Library, adult education, or BMU support.
- Use it for 7 days: Then write a check in note: what worked, what did not, one change.
Source: BMU 001 lessons; Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006); Dunlosky and others (2013).
Worked example: Dee's learning plan
| Part | Dee's plan |
|---|---|
| Goal and course | Apply for a lead job online. Course: 010 Phone and Computer Confidence. |
| Three study times | Mon 12:30 p.m. break room; Wed 8 p.m. kitchen; Sat 9 a.m. library. |
| Method | Close the lesson and write 3 points. Retry on the next study day. |
| Screen tool | Bigger text and read aloud. |
| Help source | Main library computer help, Saturdays 10 to noon. |
| 7 day check in | Did 2 of 3 times. Read aloud helped. Change: move Monday to Tuesday. |
Dee is a made up example.
Worked example 2: Luis finds a free class
Luis wants to get his high school equivalency. He goes to the National Literacy Directory, types his ZIP code, and picks math and high school equivalency. He finds a free class on Tuesday nights. He calls to ask how to sign up. He adds it to his plan as his help source.
Luis is a made up example.
Practice: Pick the help source and fix a check in note
For 1 to 3, pick a help source: library, adult education, or BMU support. For 4, make the note useful.
- Mia needs a computer and a printer for one hour.
- Tom wants a weekly class with a teacher to build his reading.
- A button in a BMU lesson will not work.
- Rewrite this check in note: It went bad.
Check your practice: feedback
- Library. Computers and printing help are free with a card in many libraries.
- Adult education. Search the National Literacy Directory by ZIP code.
- BMU support, using the help page.
- Add what worked, what did not, and one change. For example: I did 1 of 3 times. Mornings worked. Nights did not. Change: move Thursday night to Saturday morning.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until you are stuck to look for help. Find your help source now.
- Putting private numbers on your plan. Leave them off. You do not need them.
- Stopping after a bad week. Change one thing in your check in, and keep going.
Try it: Capstone: your learning plan, used for one week
Pick your scenario:
- My help source is a library
- My help source is an adult education program
- My help source is BMU support or a person I trust
- Copy the five parts onto one page or a phone note.
- Fill in each part, using your learning goal card.
- Look up one free help source and write how to reach it.
- Use the plan for 7 days.
- On day 7, write a check in note: what worked, what did not, one change.
- Then check it on the Course project page. Rate your confidence from 1 to 5 again.
Do it by: 7 days from today
Reflect
Compare your confidence number now with Lesson 1. What changed, and why?
Check your understanding
1. Where can you search for a free adult education program by ZIP code?
- A social media group
- A paid tutoring app
- The National Literacy Directory
See the answer and feedback
C is correct. Yes. It is free and lists local programs.
A: Posts may not be checked. Review Free help source 2.
B: You do not need to pay. Review Free help source 2.
2. Which detail does NOT belong on your learning plan?
- Your bank account number
- Your study times
- Your help source
See the answer and feedback
A is correct. Right. Leave private numbers off.
B: Study times are a key part. Review the figure.
C: Your help source is a key part. Review the figure.
3. On day 7, Tom did one of three study times. What should his check in note say?
- Nothing. He should start over.
- What got in the way, and one change to try next week.
- That he will add two extra times next week to make up for it.
See the answer and feedback
B is correct. Yes. The check in helps you adjust.
A: No need to start over. Review the capstone steps.
C: Piling on extra times makes the plan harder to keep. Note what got in the way and one small change. Review Lesson 1.
Takeaway: free help
- Library: computers, printing, classes, and staff help
- Adult education: search the National Literacy Directory by ZIP code
- BMU support for problems in a lesson
Capstone rubric
This is your course project. It is checked on 6 rows: Goal and course, Study times, Method, Screen tool, Help source, Check in. See what Ready means on the Course project page.
When it is done, build it on the Course project page and press Check my project. Your certificate needs it.
Use it: your follow up plan
- In 7 days: Write your check in note. Did you do your three study times? What will you change?
- In 30 days: Finish or keep going in your first course. Retake the self check and rate your confidence again.
- Put both dates on your phone calendar now.
Your job aid: print or save the My Learning Plan page.
When you are ready to set up your days so your plan sticks, the next step is BMU 210 Build the Right Yard: Change Your Surroundings, Change Your Life (All Access, Lesson 1 free).
Recap
- Your public library and adult education programs offer free help.
- Your learning plan has five parts on one page.
- Use it for 7 days, then write a check in note.
You now have: a one page learning plan, a 7 day check in, and one free help source.
Next up
You finished the lessons. Now take the Posttest. Score 80% or higher; retake it as often as you need. Then start the course you picked.
Your certificate needs both the Posttest and your course project.
Sources
- National Literacy Directory: Find a program (free adult education search, hotline 1 877 389 6874) (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services: Search for libraries (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- Brooklyn Public Library: Online learning (one example of what a library card can include) (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- LA County Library: Learn (a second example) (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- Gollwitzer, P. M., and Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta-analysis of effects and processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 69 to 119 (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., and Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4 to 58 (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
