When was the last time you thought about using your local library? If you think it’s only for kids and students, you are missing out on what many libraries offer today. Best of all, they offer these resources for free or for a nominal fee for members, and membership is usually free. Many libraries also offer their benefits to partnering libraries, expanding the list of materials available.
Ebook Loans
Many libraries give members a chance to borrow books without visiting the library. Using the Libby app on your smartphone or tablet, you can search titles or authors and download an ebook to read. The Libby app can be used to read the book, or you can send it to your Kindle device or app. Audiobooks are also offered, a great way to enjoy a book while driving or doing other chores. Magazines and newspapers are also available.
Shows, Movies, and Music
Modern libraries have a vast collection of DVDs and CDs available for loan, providing free entertainment for binge-watching, movie night, or listening to your favorite music. Many also provide for streaming movies and music through apps like Kanopy and Hoopla. Hoopla also offers audiobooks, giving you another way to find a book to enjoy.
Learn Something New
Your library and your local community college offer free courses to learn a wide variety of topics. In-house workshops are common, and your library may offer online learning through LinkedIn Learning or other online courses.
Free Passes
Going to a museum or zoo in the area? Many libraries offer a “Culture Pass” or “Discover & Go” program that provides free passes. Get out and enjoy a day of arts and culture!
Learn a New Language
Many people try to learn a new language through a free language app on their smartphone, but quickly find that the app is too basic or requires a costly subscription to dig deeper into the language. Your library may offer free access to Mango Languages, which boasts of real voices by real-world people in more than 70 languages.
Free Legal and Financial Advice
Many libraries host free legal clinics and free tax and financial planning workshops. Check with them for their schedule of upcoming events.
Maker Spaces
Are you interested in creating your own custom-imprinted shirts, hats, laser-etched products, or even 3-D printed items? Many libraries are now offering this in their Maker’s Lab, with many of the services offered for free, or for a small cost to cover the material used (with no markup!).
Computer Labs
Don’t have to own a computer or printer because of how seldom you’d use it? That doesn’t mean you can’t use one. Most libraries now have a computer lab, allowing you to use them and their printers. Don’t want to spend all that time at the library? They may allow you to borrow a computer or a laptop!
Free WiFi Internet
While many businesses offer free WiFi, you may not want to spend your time in that environment, or you may not want to feel the need to buy a coffee just to connect to the Internet. Libraries offer free WiFi, and you may even be able to check out a mobile WiFi device to use at home or when traveling.
Free Seeds
Each Spring, many libraries offer members a chance to get free packages of seeds — and often there’s a workshop to make sure you're successful in growing your new garden. These programs are extremely popular and may require pre-registration.
These and many more resources are available in your own community. Make use of them today, and if they ask you how you heard about them, tell them about the Royal Arcanum. You just may be talking to your next new member!
Carl Krzystofczyk
Elected Member of the Executive Committee
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