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    150 Free Things That Public Libraries Offer

    August 22, 2016 by prudentpennypincher.com 3 Comments

    Library

    Public libraries offer A LOT of free things that most people don’t know about. I know because I got my Master’s in Library Science; otherwise, I probably would have never known that you could get much more than books and media at the library.

    A public library’s purpose is much more than to provide access to books; their mission is to enrich their communities and improve quality of life for its citizens and they do that by offering technologies, tools and resources to help people succeed.

    Because every community has different needs, not every library will offer all of these things, but a majority of these items will be available through at least one library in your local public library system. Borrowing items is especially great if you only need them for a project or two. No need to buy something you are only going to use once or twice. It’s also a good way to try before you buy.

    What Can you Borrow at Libraries?

      1. Books – DUH!
      2. Music CDs
      3. Blu-Rays
      4. Video Games – Wii, Xbox, PC Games, Playstation 3, etc.
      5. E-books
      6. Board games
      7. Online databases – database subscriptions are VERY expensive and libraries provide access to hundreds of different databases for free. These databases are EXCELLENT resources for children and students. They provide high quality scholarly and academic articles that are superior to what you would find with a simple Google search. Some examples of databases that libraries give you access to:
        • Junior Reference Collection
        • Kids InfoBits
        • National Geographic Kids
        • Biography in Content (Gale)
        • World Book Kids
        • Lynda.com
        • Reference USA
        • Gale Business Collections
        • Academic OneFile
        • America’s Genealogy Bank
        • Auto Repair Reference Center
        • Health & Wellness Resource Center
        • Science Online
        • Literature Resource Center
        • Live Homework Help
        • Mango Languages
        • Local newspaper archives
        • WorldCat
      8. Digital Collections – Libraries are working on digitizing local historical documents and photographs so that you can learn about your city’s heritage and cultural roots.
      9. Tablets
      10. E-readers
      11. Layaway Launchpads – they are designed just for kids and are pre-loaded with high-quality, ad-free apps that are both fun and educational.
      12. Portable Blu-Ray Player
      13. MP3 Players
      14. DVDs
      15. Laptops
      16. Periodicals
      17. Magazines
      18. Cameras
      19. Tools – This library offers over 200 tools to lend out!
      20. Cooking appliances
      21. Sewing machines
      22. Irons
      23. Home appliances
      24. Musical instruments
      25. Sheet music
      26. Hobby kits such as model kits for planes, ships and buildings.
      27. Discovery kits – They are filled with books, craft ideas, puzzles, dvd’s, games, etc.  for young and old. They are themed like Dinosaur Discovery Kit or Elephant Discovery Kit
      28. Activity kits – Book accompanied by an activity card and simple activity (puppet, stuffed animal, etc.)
      29. Parenting kits like tolieting and bedwetting kits
      30. Cassettes
      31. Scrapbooking kits
      32. Audiobooks
      33. Pedometers – like FitBits
      34. Newspapers
      35. Downloadable Apps – apps that would otherwise cost you money to download
      36. Comics and graphic novels
      37. Virtual reference library
      38. Digital magazines through services like Zinio
      39. Telescopes
      40. Book Kits (10 books and a guide). Good for book clubs.
      41. Digital music services like Freegal that offer over 7million songs to choose from.
      42. Toys and gadgets – like gaming accessories (e.g. controllers)
      43. Seeds
      44. Gardening tools (also gardening classes)
      45. Video production equipment
      46. Sports equipment
      47. Consumer guides / reports to figure out best brands to buy
      48. Science equipment (Microscopes, pH meters, etc.)
      49. Digital Voice Recorders
      50. Phone chargers
      51. Exercise/Workout Videos
      52. Bicycles and bike pumps
      53. Bakeware
      54. Home Energy Evaluation Kits
      55. Headphones
      56. LCD Projector (fee may apply)
      57. Craft supplies
      58. GoPro
      59. Lawn care items like rakes, shovels, etc
      60. Puzzles
      61. Overhead Projector
      62. Dolls (ex. American Girls Dolls)
      63. Winter items like show shoes, sleds, ice skates, snow shovels.
      64. Energy Meters for the home
        Libraries are creating “library of things” like Sacramento Public Library – http://www.saclibrary.org/Services/Library-of-Things/ or http://oaklandlibrary.org/locations/tool-lending-library

        What Services Do Libraries Provide For Free (Or A Small Fee)?

      65. Electric car charging – this one is very new. So far there is only one library in my state offering this service, but more libraries are working on getting these installed.
      66. Research help – Librarians are expert researchers and you can enlist their help.
      67. Bookmobiles – This is a up and coming service in my area. They are mobile libraries that come to you! Especially helpful if you lack transportation to get to the library. Here, they primarily visit senior living/retirement or low income communities for people that can’t drive or don’t have transportation.
      68. Career help – libraries give patrons access to resources, websites, and databases to help people look for jobs. An example of my local libraries Career page is here.
      69. Book sales – you can buy books for thrift store prices! ($0.50 to $1)
      70. 3D Printing – 3D printers are thousands of dollars, but many libraries are buying them to let patrons use for FREE (or sometimes a small fee). There are over 250 libraries in the US that offer 3D printers to patrons! Some examples of the cool things people have made at libraries are: printed phone cases, toy characters, playing pieces for board games, replacement parts for electric razors, cookie cutters, artificial limbs for amputees, tools, jewelry and more!
      71. Free passes to local educational or cultural institutions – ex: museums, sports games, zoos or aquariums
      72. Room reservations – you can reserve a conference room.
      73. Homework help
      74. Free wi-fi
      75. Computers
      76. Copy
      77. Print
      78. Fax
      79. Scan
      80. Ellison Die Machine
      81. Book vending machines – like Redbox but for books!
      82. Laminating
      83. Ask a Librarian – is a live virtual reference service (chat, email, texting) that offers online reference assistance. Questions are answered in real time by librarians with subject expertise in a wide range of disciplines. You can ask questions about library services, information resources, and conducting research.
      84. Internet access
      85. Computer usage
      86. Research guides/finding aids on many subjects
      87. ADA Services (ex. large print and braille materials)
      88. Readers’ Advisory Services – Recommending books based on reading interests
      89. Inter Library Loans
      90. Forms – libraries provides legal, government and tax forms for residents
      91. Special Collections
      92. Delivery Service for people who are homebound
      93.  Mobile library app that gives you 24/7 access to the libraries online books, resources and databases
      94. Consumer health information and resources
      95. Government Assistance
      96. Request Materials
      97. Genealogy Services
      98. Access to library materials 7 days a week!

        What Can You Do at Libraries? Programs – Events, Classes, Clubs and more!
        There are thousands of different programs at libraries (New York Public Library offers more than 80,000 programs annually), so I couldn’t cover them all, but I will list some of the more popular ones (for kids, teens and adults)

        Adult

      99. Genealogy classes
      100. Career development classes – to help with resume and gives free career related resources and advise
      101. Money Matters / Financial Programs
      102. Computer classes (Internet Basics, Microsoft Office 101, etc). I have taught many of these computer classes at my local library. It’s an excellent resource for senior citizens.
      103. Learn a language classes – In my state, many libraries have Spanish classes.
      104. Author talks – meet your favorite author!
      105. Bingo night
      106. Movie night
      107. Book clubs
      108. Book discussion groups
      109. Technology classes – ipad basics, mobile device help, etc.
      110. ZUMBA
      111. Yoga
      112. Art gallery / exhibits
      113. Writing club
      114. Job counseling
      115. Adult coloring
      116. Quilters & crafters
      117. Cooking programs
      118. Speed Dating
      119. Aerobics / Exercise classes – Great place to find a running buddy
      120. Adult pottery class
      121. Open mic night
      122. Wine tasting (yes, really)
      123. Special lecture or creative workshops
      124. Volunteering – A library is a fun place to volunteer and they could really use the extra help!

        Kids and Teens

      125. Computer coding – teaching kids programming
      126. Pokemon club
      127. Minecraft club
      128. Story time
      129. Comic Cons – My local library has one of these every year and they are REALLY popular – thousands show up for it.
      130. Block Party / Lego League
      131. Game Zone
      132. Teen Time
      133. Puppet shows
      134. Teen crafts
      135. Family game night
      136. Anime club
      137. Battle of the Books
      138. Origami
      139. Robotics club
      140. Poetry slam
      141. Writer’s group
      142. Dance party / dance studio
      143. Summer Reading Program
      144. Makerspaces / Hackerspaces – This is a trending topic in the library field and was what I did my thesis paper on. If you aren’t familiar with the terminology it simply means a space where people gather to make, create, and share supplies, skills, and ideas. Some examples of makerspace equipment:  Espresso Book Machine (print and bind your own book!), Digital Creation Stations, 3D Printer, Laser Cutter/Engraver, Vinyl Printer/Cutter
      145. Nursery Rhyme Time
      146. STEM programs
      147. Guitar Lessons
      148. Manga Mania
      149. Harry Potter Parties
      150. CreateIT and iTNation programs give teens experience using various digital media software and allow them to teach introductory digital media classes to others.

    Filed Under: Frugal Living, Saving Money, Shopping Tagged With: free activities, free stuff, fun, libraries, library, public libraries, things to do

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