An Ode to the Public Library

As Arthur sang in his immortal ditty, "having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card." Your local library likely offers many more services in addition to lending books. Here are some ideas for you to ask about at your library:

  • Children's Programs
    • Your library may have a children's reading room or even a whole wing devoted to it. In addition to helping kids find books that they will enjoy, the library staff and docents may host additional events. Some libraries offer seasonal crafts for kids, story time for preschoolers, and homework help. My local library has both a children's wing and a teen center, and both of these offer educational and recreational programs for their age groups.
  • Adult Education Events
    • Local authors and subject matter experts may offer discussions or informational sessions hosted by the library. Your library likely has an events calendar that you can peruse for these events, which are most likely completely free!
  • Museum passes
    • Libraries often have passes to local museums or zoos that will grant free or discounted admission for multiple people. Before you buy an annual membership to your local children's museum or zoo, check out the offerings at the library and you might be surprised by what you find.
  • Movies, TV, Music, and Video Games
    • Most people know that you can borrow digital media from your local library, but it's easy to find yourself paying for these options instead. If you want to watch a movie that is not included in your current subscription service of choice, you might find yourself renting it on Amazon for $3 a pop, which can add up if you do that every week. Video games can be quite expensive for something you are not likely to play many times; checking the library for a copy can save you from spending money on new games.
  • Ebooks and Digital Media
    • Your library likely offers at least some of its collection in an eBook format. They may also offer digital lending for the media offerings above (movies, music, etc). You can borrow these from anywhere, most likely through an app. How convenient!
  • 3D Printing
    • I was surprised to learn that my local library offers free 3D printing services. You can  find free designs for 3D-printed objects online using a site such as Thingiverse.
  • Genealogy Research
    • A membership to one of the major genealogy sites can be quite pricey, but you may be able to research your family roots for free at the library. My library does offer free access to Ancestry.com, but only from the library computers.
  • Newspapers and Magazines
    • These may be available in both print and digital form. This is particularly convenient if you like to read the news online and dislike those pesky article limits imposed on non-subscribers.
  • Fax and Scan Services
    • You probably divested of your fax machine during Y2K, so the best place to find this seldom-used service is the library. There may be a fee associated with this but it may still be your best option if you find yourself forced to send a fax in this day and age.
    • If you don't have a home scanner, you can scan your documents at the library and email them or save them to a flash drive instead. This will look much better than taking a photo of the document on your phone!
  • Requesting Items
    • If your local library doesn't have the book, movie, or video game you want, you can request that they purchase it. If the staff agrees that your requested item would be well-used by the rest of the community, they will buy it and give you the first dibs on borrowing that item.

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