10 Ways to Supercharge Your Library Visits

Most people know that you can borrow books from your local library, but not everyone knows that your library can provide much more than just books. Because of the pandemic, reading is more important than ever, but to get the best bang for your library card buck, you gotta use the library to its fullest extent. But wait… you say you don’t know what else you can do at the library?

No worries! MediaCrash is here to hip you to all the ways you can optimize your library visit.

1. Borrow from other libraries.

Most libraries have some sort of inter-library loan system that will allow you to get books that aren’t actually on the shelves in your local library. So, if the book that you’re looking for isn’t part of the library’s collection, ask a librarian and they’ll order the book for you (or show you how to order it yourself) from another library! When the book arrives, they’ll contact you and you can pick up your book (or books) locally.

2. Borrow movies & music.

Lots of libraries have a pretty good selection of films and music recordings, on multiple formats, available for loan. You can check out movies on DVD, or even VHS sometimes. You can get music on CD and vinyl! As a young musician, I used to check out records and the sheet music right along with them so I could study scores and composition (oh yeah, you can borrow sheet music too). The library had stuff that, even to this day, would be next to impossible to get your hands on elsewhere.

Plus, like I said, if they don’t have it, they can get it for you from another library! For free!

3. Stream movies & music.

If you’re like, “The hell with that. I’m new-school. I only stream what I consume,” then firstly, you suck. Just kidding. But, if you are like that, don’t sweat it! Libraries now have streaming services!

Many libraries offer services to card holders like Freegal and Hoopla. My local library offers Kanopy. Essentially, these are streaming services like Amazon Prime or Hulu or Spotify, available to library members, for free.

See, I told you libraries are awesome.

4. Borrow actual things (other than books).

The Library of Things is a service that allows you to check out items other than books from the library. My local library even has seeds for your garden! And no, you don’t have to return those. You can also check out musical instruments, camping equipment and video game systems. You do have to return those. Some libraries have things like 3d printers, food dehydrators, and even telescopes! Pretty rad, right?

5. Get ebooks and audio books.

My local library has a service called Overdrive that gives members access to ebooks, audio books and digital magazines. Your library may have a different service but most libraries have a way to access digital content, and you can usually access them from home, or wherever you happen to be.

And for stuff that’s not available on Overdrive, my library connects to a bigger library system, the Boston Public Library, that provides access to even more ebooks and audio books. Ask your librarian what they offer, you’ll probably be surprised at how much is available.

6. Attend cultural events & local classes.

Libraries often have programs and classes that are free or really cheap. I’ve attended story times, art workshops, lectures on all sorts of subjects, book signings, writing workshops, musical performances, plays and movie screenings at libraries. I even gave a lecture myself, on self-publishing, at a library.

7. Access Lots of Databases.

Libraries generally have multiple databases that you can access through a web interface on one of the computers. In addition to searching for books, you can search scientific studies, patents & copyrights, peer-reviewed journals, genealogical data, newspapers, etc. The information returned is much deeper than a google search would return and the data is usually generated by experts, with references and cross references to back it up.

If it’s imperative that the research you’re doing has solid data, the library should be first on your list of workspaces.

8. Nab a Cultural Pass.

Many libraries have some version of a local pass for cultural events and services, either for free or at a steep discount. My local library has passes to local museums and even to Tanglewood concerts (which can be very pricey), so it’s always a good deal. I think that the amount they have is usually limited, so you want to jump on them when you see them, but I’ve been pretty lucky and have been able to get a bunch of free passes. Just ask a librarian what they offer.

9. Find Tutoring, Test Prep & Job Prep.

Libraries usually have connected services like tutoring, practice exams and homework help for learners of all ages. Some libraries have language classes for learners of a second-language, literacy programs, college-prep materials and even professional certification courses. If they don’t offer them directly at the library, they will usually have the relevant information to direct you to those programs.

10. Enlist Super Amazing Librarians!

The librarians are really the best part of the whole library experience, in my opinion. These professional curators and researchers are trained to help you find the information you’re looking for and their skills and knowledge are often criminally underemployed.

Ask them anything! If they don’t know the answer, they certainly know where to find it. Also, you can often ask a librarian to work with you one-on-one to explain how parts of the library work (like the card catalog, or a database), or even how the computers themselves are set up.

 

So there you have it. Now you have no excuse, and you can’t say “There’s never anything to do around here…” Go check out your library, and this time, really check it out. Get it? Check it out? See what I did there?

Seriously though. Take advantage of these amazing institutions and don’t forget to thank your librarian!

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