Chances are that even if you have a library card, you might not be using it to its full potential. We all know we can check out books for free, but did you know you can listen to audiobooks on your smartphone? Download and stream music? Stream movies and TV shows? Get investment advice and learn the Adobe Creative Suite? Your library card does so much for you!
Curious what you might be missing at the library? Here’s a list of a few services, beyond print books, that you have access to with your library card:
Read Free Audiobooks and E-books with Libby by Overdrive
With the Libby app (available on any smart device), you can easily browse and listen to or read thousands of e-Books or audiobooks. The library is adding new digital titles every week, and there’s a great collection of “always available audiobooks”, if you don’t want to wait. Another bonus? With electronic materials, there are no late fees!
Get Free Music with Freegal
If you enjoy discovering and listening to music, Freegal needs to be on your radar. With Freegal, you can download three songs a week that are yours to keep forever. You can also stream up to five hours of ad-free music a day. New songs are added often, and Freegal has started curating playlists so you don’t have to. They’ve even got a book-themed playlist called “Book It!”
Gain New Skills with Lynda.com
Lynda.com is a leading source for high-quality tutorials on just about anything you’d want to do on a computer. Learn to code, use the Adobe Creative Suite, or even engage with more theoretical classes like personal branding or business communication.
Learn a New Language with Pronunciator
Pronunciator is a fun and free way to learn any of 98 languages with personalized courses, movies, music and more.
Stream Movies and TV with Kanopy
Kanopy is a video streaming service. Though they specialize mostly in classic and Indie films (you won’t find the latest Avengers movie here), they also have an extensive selection of films, shows and stories for kids. Each cardholder gets 10 credits at the beginning of the month, plus unlimited streaming of kids content. This service will be available through June 2020.
Attend Afterschool Stem and Craft Programs
Though many of the library’s programs don’t require a library card, kids programs like Coding+ and Lego Crew are limited only to Provo Library cardholders. With a library card, kids can enjoy immersive programs focused on both creative and STEM topics.
Check out Cameras, Audio Recorders, Computers, adn Telescopes
The library offers GoPro cameras and accessories, field recording kits, Chromebooks and now telescopes to check out! Enjoy the benefits of these hi-tech tools without the upfront investment. Checkout periods and procedures vary for each item, so be sure to ask at a reference desk or visit the library’s website for more information.
Enjoy Themed Learning Kits for Kids
Discovery kits are a fantastic way for kids to explore a theme or topic. Each kit includes a selection of books, interactive toys, and a binder full of extension activities. There are separate kits for different stages of learners (sensory experiences for younger learners, songs and activities for preschoolers, and even STEM learning tools for older elementary kids).
Start a Book Club with Minimal Hassle
There are many challenges to starting a book club, but getting enough copies of the book for your group doesn’t need to be one of them. The library offers book club sets in just about every genre; each set contains 15 books plus a book club guide, and checks out for six weeks.
Prepare for Tests with Learning Express Library
Learning Express Library features over 770 practice tests, tutorials, and e-books related to standardized tests and workplace skills improvement. Whether you’re interested in college admissions exams like the ACT or SAT or professional preparation tests like the LSAT or GMAT, there’s a practice test for you. This list is far from exhaustive; with a wealth of resources available to you through the library, your library card might just be the most valuable card in your wallet.
For more information visit PROVOLIBRARY.COM