Hey all!
This is one of those times when I’m going to shamelessly plug libraries and their resources. I told you before, I LOVE a good deal, and your library is one of the best bargains around. Don’t get me wrong…support bookstores and authors, of course! But sometimes, things are just outside of our reach, and the library tries to bridge that gap. When I was working, one of my favorite things was connecting someone with a resource they had no idea existed. I have found myself doing that even in furlough times, trying to make sure people know what’s available to them even as we are encouraged to stay home when we can. Kelley and I use the library all the time to read the books we discuss on the podcast; we’ve checked out print and e-books in order to make sure we each have a chance to review whatever title we are talking about.
September is Library Card Signup Month. Library Staffs strive to encourage people to make sure they have a card for their home libraries, or to make sure that the one they have is in good standing so you can continue to use it, in and out of the building. It’s also a great month to get a refresher on the resources your library offers. As important as print books and computers are (AND THEY ARE!) you might not be aware of other cool items and resources that could be available to you with your card. Since I’m not sure where you are reading this, I’m going to give some generic information about the kinds of resources available, and then I want you to wander into your library, or check their website.
Remember…you are ALREADY paying for these things through your taxes, and with use of them, you make your money back in a hurry! My home library even shows you on your checkout receipt what you saved on that visit by checking things out instead of purchasing them. And if your library doesn’t have something you see here that you find interesting, it’s always worth an inquiry…speaking from experience, I can tell you that I appreciated when someone took the time to ask me about a resource they’d heard about. Either I could point them to that very resource, something our library offered that was similar, or we could review it for purchase or subscription.
Below is a list of items, services and programs which are offered at public libraries, to varying degrees. Have fun exploring your library this month!
- Print books
- Ebooks
- DVD’s, CD’s, Vinyl
- Audiobooks
- Internet connected computers
- Printing, copying, scanning, faxing
- Wifi
- Wifi enabled devices for borrowing
- Newspapers
- Magazines, print and electronic
- Microscopes
- Telescopes
- Puzzles
- Board Games
- Conversation groups for English as a second language speakers
- Volunteer opportunities
- Concerts
- Book Talks
- Author Visits
- Storytimes
- Book Discussions
- Technology assistance or instruction
- Genealogy resources and presentations
- Local history resources
- Online courses
- Language learning
- Video Games for borrowing
- Onsite Video Game Tournaments
- Grant Writing Resources
- Digital conversion equipment
- Legal resources
- Tax forms
- Local publications
- Test prep and study guides, in print and online
- Automatic holds on upcoming new releases
- Loans or lending collections for senior living sites
- Discounted passes or memberships to area attractions
- Streaming services with ebooks, movies, tv shows, music and recorded books
The list goes on. Library staff work really hard to make sure that you, their users, can find what they need, when they need it. And they’re always trying to find the next popular service or resource to add to this list. AND, library staff don’t actually shush people. That’s a common misconception. They do talk in normal conversational tones, they don’t allow for yelling. Reasonable, no? And they really do want to help you find what you’re looking for. If you haven’t been to your library in a minute, take some time and stop by. You may be surprised at what you find there!
They even have books about homebrewing and winemaking, so you can enjoy homemade sips while you peruse your library treasures.
Jaclyn