For students and employees at Niagara College, access to high-quality learning resources can make a significant difference in both academic success and career development. Through Niagara College’s Libraries and Learning Centres, the college community has access to O’Reilly, a dynamic digital learning platform designed to help users build practical, real-world skills in technology, business, communication, and professional development.
Unlike traditional academic databases that focus primarily on scholarly research articles, O’Reilly is built around hands-on learning and skill development.
“O’Reilly is a digital library database with a focus on technology, digital media and business resources from more than 250 of the world’s leading publishers, such as Adobe, Cisco, McGraw-Hill, Microsoft, Pearson and Wiley, and the library team is excited to support the NC’s community’s learning goals through access to this database,” said Kent Reynolds, Library Technician.
The NC Libraries and Learning Centres chose to subscribe to O’Reilly specifically because of its value across multiple academic programs. Reynolds explained that the platform was initially selected to support NC’s new Defence Systems Engineering Technology, Defence Systems Engineering Technician and Cybersecurity programs, but its extensive collection also benefits students in other areas.
“When the library makes database selections, part of the criteria is to select a database that will support many program areas, and O’Reilly does this,” he said.
O’Reilly’s ability to remain current is one of the platform’s biggest strengths with the database being updated continuously, sometimes daily, to ensure students have access to the latest information, certifications, and industry trends.
The scale of the platform is another major advantage. O’Reilly offers more than 40,000 e-books and over 30,000 hours of video content. Users can also access audiobooks, case studies, interactive courses, learning paths, and certification preparation materials. Topics range from cybersecurity and programming to project management, graphic design, communication, and presentation skills.
Another useful feature is that many resources are categorized by skill levels including Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, making it easier for users to find material that matches their experience and learning goals.
“O’Reilly’s online learning platform provides on-demand access to live instructor-led training, structured learning paths, and a vast library of text and video content,” said Matt Bohn, Library Facilitator. “These tools offer a comprehensive, flexible learning experience that blends self-paced reading with practical, interactive exercises.”
The platform also includes browser-based coding environments and hands-on labs that simulate real-world production environments allowing learners to practice technical skills directly within the platform rather than simply reading about them.
This practical approach is what separates O’Reilly from many traditional databases. Rather than focusing solely on research, the platform is designed to help users apply skills immediately through tutorials, labs, videos, and guided learning.
The database also includes extensive certification preparation resources. Users can access official study guides, interactive practice tests, flashcards, timed exam simulations, and self-paced courses for a variety of industry certifications.
“NC students should take full advantage of library databases while enrolled, since access is bundled into tuition and disappears the moment they graduate,” said Bohun. “Platforms like O’Reilly, academic journal databases, and other institutional resources are expensive to access, making now the best time to learn, research, and even pursue certification prep at no extra cost.”
For students and employees looking to expand their knowledge, prepare for certifications, or build professional skills, O’Reilly provides a flexible and accessible resource that supports learning both inside and outside the classroom.
To access the O’Reilly database, please click here.
