hi everyone! i know many of us here use libraries but i also do know that there are many of us who do not or can not utilize library access as much as we'd like. i'm a library student graduating in october and i have learned so much about all kinds of libraries and what they offer to their patrons. so, here are examples of what you may be able to access, other than books, thanks to libraries!

• streaming services (kanopy, hoopla, etc) • national park passes • museum passes • musical instruments • DVDs, VHS tapes, and CDs • access to rare collections and archives (old newspapers, documents, letters, etc.) • free art exhibitions • book clubs • home book delivery (in case anyone has mobility issues or lacks transportation) • materials & books in braille • assistance with job applications! • citizenship support (refugee and immigrant assistance) • concerts, film screenings, and lectures • clubs (minecraft, D&D, anime, pokemon, etc) • assistance with learning to cook • access to early voting! • genealogy and ancestry research • interlibrary loans (one of my faves) • free internet access • clean air and protection from outdoors • board games • language classes • makerspaces • meeting rooms for companies/students/organizations • tickets to local events • periodicals (magazines, newspapers, etc) • podcasts • librarian personalized book picks! • printing (free or low-cost) • seasonal reading challenges • research assistance and access to databases (proquest & other journals) • entrepreneurship assistance • social services (shelter for us housed patrons, narcan for overdoses, addiction assistances, food banks, community fridges, etc) • tech support (learning how to use a certain device or platform) • life jackets • telescopes • cameras • mp3 players with audiobooks on them • jackets • sewing machines • dvd players • video games • ipads and apple pencils • tutoring and reading assistance • volunteering opportunities • assistance to veterans • workshops • access to news stations & radio • cookbooks and recipes • car repair services • CELA collections (for people with print and sensory disabilities) • encyclopedia access • video tutorials • vegetable and flower seeds!

and many many more!! libraries are vast institutions and one of the only third spaces that remain free, accessible and open to everyone. please, get that library card and take advantage of what libraries give you!

in my time on PB, i’ve noticed that a lot of people here seem to enjoy making crafts in addition to reading (fabric crafts, diamond painting, etc etc). which is super cool! i’d love to know what everybody else here loves to do that isn’t reading :] for me: i love doing anything outside (the activity doesn’t matter, if i could be outdoors all the time i would be), music (listening to it, playing it, and songwriting!) and drawing