The Best Library Resources (Other Than Books)

Growing up, I looked forward to Saturday mornings when my Dad would take my sisters and me to the library. We pushed the limits of the checkout maximums every time, and we happily carted home our mountain of books home in a wagon. 

Libraries have always been an important part of the communities in which they are located, and their resources have expanded considerably over the years to keep up with new technology and changes in patrons’ needs. In addition to books, they have a wealth of free resources, and here are some of the best:

Digital

E-book, audiobook, and movie rentals

Overdrive/Libby is a popular provider of ebooks, audiobooks, and movie rentals. There may be a wait for some of the more popular titles, but many titles are available for immediate download. Checkout periods typically range from 7 to 21 days. Other ebook, audiobook, and movie providers include Hoopla, Axis 360, and BiblioBoard.

Ebooks can be delivered electronically in several formats compatible with e-readers. I’ve used a few different e-readers, but the Kindle Paperwhite is my favorite.

Buy on Amazon

Tip: Hate the wait times for e-books at your local library? Some libraries allow you to become a member by purchasing a membership to their library no matter where you live.

LinkedIn Learning subscription

LinkedIn Learning (formerly known as Lynda.com) provides video courses taught by experts in a variety of fields from software to photography. I’ve used it to brush up on my technical skills and study for certifications.

Tip: If you have a professional certification, there are many courses that are eligible for continuing education credits. Just search for “continuing education” in the search box and filter on your certification body in the Continuing Education Units category.

Language Software

This is where my journey of discovering modern library resources began. I was interested in learning French, so I started searching for discounts for Rosetta Stone. That’s when I learned some libraries offer free access to language software including Rosetta Stone. I was ecstatic to learn that my library participated in the Rosetta Stone program, and I promptly downloaded it.

Mango Languages and Rocket Languages are two other popular library language applications.

Research Databases

If you’re creating a presentation or writing a paper and need to reference professional research, the library has you covered. Most offer access to educational, scientific, business, and consumer databases.

Digital Periodicals

Need to get behind the paywall of a newspaper or magazine? Your library likely has access to popular and even more obscure publications.

Classes for children, teens, and adults

Libraries offer countless classes to their patrons including but not limited to computer, language, cooking, and craft classes.

Physical

Attraction passes

Libraries offer free and discounted passes to local attractions including zoos, parks, children’s activities, museums, and more. If you’re interested in local attractions, make sure you check with your community’s library first.

Laptops and mobile hotspots

Many libraries offer free rentals for both laptops (typically Chromebooks) and mobile hotspots. While there may be a waiting list, this is a great option if you can plan ahead.

Event space

Need space for your next club meeting on a budget? Check to see if your library allows you to book meeting rooms (typically for free or a nominal fee).

Miscellaneous

While not as common as some of the other resources, I’ve seen library offerings as varied as tool rental, workout gear, VR headsets, and sewing machines.

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Hopefully, you’ve been inspired to explore the treasures offered at your library. Offerings may vary by library, so check out yours today!

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