150 Free Things That Public Libraries Offer

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 Digital Collections – Libraries are working on digitizing local historical documents and photographs so that you can learn about your city’s heritage and cultural roots.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.