15 Library Resources You Probably Didn't Know About: It's More Than Just Books
Hot Girls Must Have a Library Card
Do you remember your first library card? There was nothing quite as exciting as finally being old enough to go to the library, scan the aisles and aisles of books, and head to the checkout counter with an armful of all the best titles. Titles like Junie B. Jones, The Babysitters Club, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Harriet the Spy spilled out of our hands. Something about the independence of having a library card all to yourself for checking out books, movies, music, and more was completely thrilling at that elementary age. Even though some of us might have grown out of going to libraries, they have stuck around. Public libraries are intergenerational community resources, offering resources for children, teens, families, young adults, and older adults alike.
The first library in the United States was introduced by Ben Franklin in Philadelphia in 1731 as a way to improve access to books (for the white male elite). Franklin and other members of the elite would gather to share reading materials with one another in what was called the Junto Club. Although the Junto Club and these early lending library concepts were inherently designed to gatekeep the dispersion of information, the concept has turned on its head, now a beacon of knowledge for all. Its history has evolved over time, and libraries all over the United States have become extensive community centers that offer resources for education, job, food, housing access, and community building. This National Reading Month, we are dropping a guide to what your library can offer you and your community. Before you know it, you will be back flaunting that library card around everywhere you go.
The Library is Your Space: In the age of remote work, it can be hard to find places to get out of the house, complete your work, and not end up breaking the bank while you're at it. Throughout the pandemic, many libraries had to shut their physical doors to the public, but many have reopened and are back to being accessible physical spaces for their communities. We love libraries as public spaces, almost always with free wifi, printer access, and computer access too (hello big desktop vibes), for completing all that girl bossery.
Have a library date: As you start your library journey, we recommend taking yourself out to the lib! Taking some time to get to know your library, understand its layout, and get a feel for what resources it has to offer, the more likely you will return and get the most out of your future visits.
Utilize the library staff: Everyone knows that the crabby librarian trope is a lie (hello ageism + misogyny). Make sure to ask library staff for help with anything from finding the best book to finding the most coveted spot to study.
Find your favorite library: The best way to feel at home in your library is to find a branch that speaks to you. Maybe you live in a city or town that only has one option (all the easier!), but if you live in an area with more than one branch or a county or state library consortium, explore them all and figure out which one makes you feel most at home.
For Entering Your Reading Era: The library has more to offer than just books, but sometimes all you’re really looking for is books. The more books you reserve the more you support libraries to keep doing what they do best: curating books.
4. Utilize online resources: Our favorite way to get the most out of our libraries is by using hold and request features online. Next time you get a book recommendation that you just can’t stop thinking about, head to your library's website and request that title ASAP. Depending on your area and the popularity of the title, there can be a line, but you can almost always find an e-book, audiobook, or physical book version to get your hands on.
5. Late fees on the way out: Fortunately, a lot of libraries have realized the inaccessibility of late fees and are starting to get rid of them altogether. In New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and many other cities, the forgetful girlies are in the clear. Although you’re still encouraged to return your books on time, if you split up, nobody will be coming after you.
6. If you want it, they got it: Next time you’re scrolling your library website or wandering the aisles of books looking for the perfect title, don’t fret when you can’t seem to find it. You can almost always request it through an interlibrary loan system, or the library itself will source the book or material and add it to the collection. All you have to do is submit a request form or an interlibrary loan request.
More Than Just Books: This may or may not come as a surprise, but your library probably has way more to rent than just books. When we were younger, we remember renting computer games, movies, or CDs (hello Hannah Montana the Movie soundtrack). Nowadays, you can still rent all of the above, but you can also get even more great resources too.
7. Tools/Resource Library: A lot of libraries rent out household tools that people may need. For example, libraries like the Brooklyn Public Library, Boston Public Library, and Los Angeles Public Library have sewing machines for rent. If you are looking to learn how to hem your pants or upcycle your old sweaters, then hit up your library before making a big investment.
8. Online Learning: Many library card holders don’t realize that that card can hook up with tons of digital resources. You can often use your card for access to websites or software for discovering genealogy or family history, and many offer access to websites such as Creative Bug for taking online courses. Many library cards also come with access to major news sources and subscriptions that normally have a paywall.
9. Culture Pass/Access Resources: In New York City, you can use your library card to get free or discounted access to museums and other cultural hot spots all over the city with a program called Culture Pass. Other libraries are implementing similar programs, like in Boston and Fort Collins, Colorado. If you’re in the Illinois area, you can even use this handy dandy research tool to find accessible museums near you.
10. The Unexpected: Libraries stay surprising us. Some offer rentals for musical instruments, audio, video, and photography tools, and sometimes even telescopes. Other libraries, like the St. Louis Library, offer resources for learning how to repair your car or learning to drive. In Red Bank, New Jersey and Rochester, Minnesota, local public libraries offer access to seeds for starting your very own garden adventure. You can find your seed library here!
Get Involved: This might be one of the lesser-known benefits of having a library card, but your card often gives you access to a plethora of community-led classes, workshops, and groups. Your library can help you with the basic needs of adulting and can help you find new friends, too.
11. The Essentials: Libraries offer everything from completing a GED to setting up a LinkedIn profile or filing your taxes. Some libraries offer workshops for developing other professional skills like public speaking, writing, and resume building, or learning a new language. The Free Library of Philadelphia offers culinary literacy courses for improving food access and empowerment.
12. Health and Wellness: In addition to all things adulting, libraries are also great spaces for health and wellness education. Many libraries will offer movement classes like dance, yoga, and meditation. The Austin Public Library Holistic Wellness Program even offers workshops for starting your own composting project. And the Denver Public Library has drug rehab support courses available all over the city; libraries often offer mental health resources or support groups for a range of needs.
13. Make Friends: Whether you just moved to a new city or are trying to get out of your comfort zone a little, libraries are great places for building and growing your community. Libraries have tons of offerings like crafting circles, art classes, writing groups, book clubs, poetry readings, and discussion groups too. Many libraries will offer programming that is interest or identity-specific, like queer-friendly book clubs, so that you can meet people with shared interests or identities.
Support Your Library: Getting a library card, checking out books, and attending events or classes is step one to supporting your library. However, there are many ways to give back to this resource that is giving so much to your community and neighborhood. Becoming not only a library card holder but a supporting member of your library is another way to contribute to all that the community space has to offer.
14. Become a Volunteer: A great way to give back to your library, gain experience and knowledge, and build your own community is by signing up to volunteer with your local library. Many libraries are looking for young adults to help them lead classes, assist in programming, and keep spaces clean and organized.
15. Donate to your Library: Although many libraries are supported by local donors and governments, if we want to keep libraries public and bursting with opportunities, we have to invest in them too. If you find that you have some extra finances to offer, consider donating to your local library to keep the resources available for all.
So what are you waiting for? Go get that library card, bestie!