The Public Library, Much More Than Just Books!

Libraries are institutions for learning, culture, and community. As technology has made it possible to access information from home, libraries have adapted, providing books and materials in a wide variety of ways including eBooks and magazines, audio, and video formats.

A fear among book lovers is that the library will no longer be necessary, that digital access will eliminate the need for a brick and mortar building. These fears should be allayed, at least for now. Rather than decrease its services, the library has grown to include new programs and amenities which benefit their surrounding communities. I just recently learned about some of these services, so I thought I’d share my findings with you. These services benefit not only homeschooling families, but the entire community. (Read my post about libraries and homeschooling here)

Most of us are familiar with certain programs at the library, besides the obvious books, CDs, and DVDs. For years they have hosted writers’ groups, book clubs, and tutoring services. Libraries are known as places to use public computers, access free internet, book rooms for quiet study, and enjoy educational workshops.

But… there is so much more to your local library! Here are some familiar, and not so familiar services the modern library provides:

1. General Services

• Book, Magazine, Journal, Newspaper, Comic Book, DVD, CD, Audio Book loans
• Print, Copy, Scan, and Fax – self service
• Free Computer and Internet Access
• Flash Drive Purchase – from the Service Desk, to save work done on the library’s public computer
• Meeting Rooms – for co-op or teen study groups
• 3-D Printing
• Research Assistance – librarians are trained in researching information
• Access to Federal Databases – on topics from health to crime
• Foreign Language Curriculum
• Used Book Sales
• Bookmobile – a traveling mini-library

2. Community Advisors and Services

• Free Community Magazines – to inform citizens of local issues and events
• Voter Registration Cards
• Paper Bags for Yard Clippings
• Lawyers – share information and answer questions
• Tax Experts – share information and answer questions
• Nurses – answer questions and provide education on topics such as diabetes, heart health, exercise, and mental health issues. Some may check blood pressure and assist with making appointments.
• Social Workers – answer questions and assist with making appointments
• Local Business Owners – share information and answer questions
• Local Historians & Antique Photo Collections – share historical information with patrons
• Tutors – contact names and numbers, and quiet rooms for learning
• Notary Services
• Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles – in some library parking lots

3. Educational Workshops
Libraries offer many opportunities to learn, topics may include:

• Author Readings and Book Signings – a place to discover great books and like-minded readers
• Writing Help – offer advice for the writing & publishing process, copyright laws
• Computer Skills Classes – include coding, excel, windows
• Gardening and Seed Preservation
• Ancestry Information –how to research and find family members, subscriptions to genealogy websites and archives
• Local Historians – share historical photograph collections from local area or state
• Musicians – a place to discover and support local talent
• Local Artists – art shows and tutorials on technique
• Tutoring – in person and online for students and adults
• English as a Second Language Classes

4. Fun Events

• Escape Room Games
• Loan Passes to Local Educational Destinations, such as museums

5 . Children’s Programs and Activities

• Story Time
• Magic Shows
• Designated Children’s Book Area – with age appropriate books
• Computer Games – to build math and reading skills
• STEM Workshops, such as Vet Science
• Read to a Dog
• Explore and Learn Room – in Maryland, it’s called Storyville – a simulated town and play area for preschoolers to explore and learn through play

6. Teen Programs and Activities

• Homework Help
• Writing Lab – submit a writing sample and get feedback on grammar, structure, style, and content
• Designated Space for Teens

Modern libraries include a space for teens with age-appropriate books on topics relevant to them, groups study rooms for homework projects, and programs such as Teen Book Clubs, Writing Clubs, Minecraft Clubs, Anime Clubs, Dungeon and Dragon Clubs, and Chess Clubs.

My son, who rarely visits the library was stoked to discover our local branch has a video game station complete with gaming chairs and VR headsets.

7. Equipment Loans
Provides nontraditional resources to patrons at no cost. Items may include:

• Board Games – collection of board games from ages toddler to adult
• Book Club Kits – set of up to 12 books with discussion guide
• Puzzles
• Chromebooks
• Early Learning Kits – Themed kits with a variety of books, toys, and tips for using the contents
• Science Kits – various topics such as Rocks & Fossils, Bugs, Green Energy
• Telescope Kits – includes telescope, battery, constellation finder and moon map
• Adventure Backpacks – to encourage families to explore nature together
• Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending Program
• Memory Kits – for the elderly to reminisce and share past experiences

8. The Library of Things
Offers nontraditional resources to library patrons at no cost. Items will vary, but may include:

• Home Improvement Tools– for landscaping, home improvement projects, or repair jobs tools from extension cords to hammers to drain snakes, fishing rods (CA Tool Lending Library, NY, MD)
• Engravers
• Outdoor Games – a variety of items such as croquet, lawn darts, frisbees, and corn hole
• Hobbies and Sports Equipment – life jackets, sleds, tents, fishing poles and tackle, bike helmets, hiking gear
• Movie Night Kit complete with inflatable screen, projector, and speakers (a popular item, this had 87 holds in our library system at the time of writing)
• Cake Pans and Cake Decorating Equipment
• Paper Crafting Supplies – cutters, rubber stamps
• Craft Looms
• Sewing Machines
• Knitting Needles and Crochet Hooks

9. Media Preservation Equipment
A free media digitization lab where patrons may use the equipment provided to digitize/convert old VHS, VHS-C, MiniDVs, DVCAM, Audio cassettes, floppy discs, slides, 35 mm negatives, and/or photos.
To access this amazing service, make an appointment online. A specially trained librarian will instruct you on how to use the equipment. Bring an external Hard Drive, USB drive, or use your personal cloud storage to capture and store the digital media.

10. Music and the Arts

• Music Practice Rooms
• Instrument Loans – banjo, ukulele, guitar
• Recording Studio Equipment

11. Vaccination Clinics – provide public access to vaccines such as the flu.

12. Emergency Preparedness and Community Welfare
In addition to providing information on resources – food, shelter, and appropriate response in a crisis, libraries aid the community in times of trouble.
Some libraries regularly serve as cooling or heating centers in extreme weather conditions. Other libraries have been called into action in extreme circumstances, such as a shelter following severe storms, as a meeting place for families to reconnect, a place to charge devices, or just to decompress.

As you have learned, libraries continue to be a valuable resource for the entire family. If you are unsure what your local library offers, check out their website or ask at the information desk next time you visit.

What about your local branch? Share below what your amazing library offers their community.