What Your Library Can Do For You || Let’s Talk Bookish

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme, hosted by Aria @ Book Nook Bits, where we discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts. It’s supposed to be posted on Friday, but being on time is hard and it’s better late than never.

This week’s Let’s Talk Bookish topic is a freebie, so I thought I’d mention some things your library might be able to do for you that you’re likely not even aware of.

A lot of people imagine libraries as they were 50 years ago: stuffy places filled with books and librarians that are ninja’s lurking in the stacks waiting to shush innocent bystanders. That couldn’t be farther from the truth, though! Many libraries do so many things for their communities that their patrons may not even know.

Of course, I need to add a caveat that not all libraries will have the things that I mention. It’s a case-by-case basis, and you’ll need to contact your local library in order to see what they do offer. Also, I live in the United States, so this is from that perspective. I apologize if your country/locality doesn’t have a library.

Loaning books . . . in more ways than you think!

Okay, yes, sure, I just got done telling you that libraries aren’t the traditional buildings full of books they’re often portrayed as. And then I tell that, surprise!, libraries have books. Who woulda thunk it? Yes, I realize the hypocrisy of that. But wait, there’s more! . . . ways to get books, I mean.

Many libraries offer interlibrary loan, which basically means that if they don’t have a book on their shelf, they will try to get it from another library. Since libraries are well-meaning organizations that have a terribly limited budget, this means their patrons have the ability to get almost any book they want without hitting the library’s bottom line. Sure, there’s usually a bit of a wait time for the books to come in, but that’s a small price to pay for a nearly unlimited collection.

If you’re looking for a slightly different medium for your books, many libraries also provide access to Libby, which is a collection of e-books and audiobooks. This is obviously going to vary by location, especially since these options are expensive. However, they’re a great resource if someone has trouble with physical books, particularly if they need larger fonts or have reduced eyesight and prefer audiobooks.

Speaking of potentially needing accommodations, some libraries also offer talking books, which are specifically for people with disabilities. This includes books in Braille, audiobooks, and other unique texts, plus any assistive devices necessary to read them. It’s a fantastic (and often underutilized) resource for those it may help!

Loaning more than just books. A lot more.

Libraries aren’t just books anymore. There are many other collections that any given library might house, including video games, board games, DVDs, and genealogic files. DVDs are a fairly common one. Video games and board games are relatively new ones that aren’t present everywhere, but it’s still worth asking!

Some libraries also offer Internet of the Things checkouts. This can include laptops, hotspots, ereaders, tablets, and other technological things. Obviously, this also varies by location, but you might be surprised by what your library offers!

A lot of libraries are now moving to offer activity kits and hobby kits. I’ve seen things like fishing rods in the summer, crochet kits, sewing kits, baking kits. Some libraries have even unique baking pans and cookie cutters for checkout, which I think is super neat! These all vary library to library, but I’ve taken to looking up all the different kits at the libraries surrounding me, and I’m always surprised to find out what sorts of kits they have available.

Technology assistance.

Got a new phone and need helping learning how to use it? Can’t figure out how to use Word? Having trouble navigating the unemployment website . . . or, really, any of a number of very cumbersome government websites? Not a problem for your friendly neighborhood librarian!

This is one of those things that I really wish more people took advantage of. At my library, we are always willing to spend time teaching technology to people. Which is why it’s so frustrating when people say they can’t use computers and they can’t learn. You can . . . you just have to want to. And libraries provide the resources to do so!

Best of all, if you don’t have your own technology . . . the library provides that, too! Need help learning Word or using a computer? We’ve got those! Plus, there’s Wi-Fi, in case you do bring your own device. Talk about convenient.

Honestly, just about any kind of assistance.

The rule in my library is never say, “I don’t know.” Instead, say, “I’ll find out for you.” That pretty much sums up librarians in general. Librarians want to answer your questions. The more random and convoluted, the more they’ll love it, honestly. Trust me, I’ve seen the librarian groups, where we share our most unique questions like we’re collecting Pokémon cards.

If there’s something specific you want and your library doesn’t provide it yet, why not ask if they can? Our patrons have asked repeatedly for gaming, so you know what? We wrote grants until we were able to get one that allowed us to not only establish a video game collection but also consoles for our after-schoolers. Would we have thought of it eventually? Probably. Well . . . maybe. Point is, most librarians are people pleasures, so if there’s some sort of help you need, they’ll likely go out of their way to provide it for you!

Databases. But not like you’re imagining!

When I say “database,” you’re likely thinking of those ugly, bulky creatures that were a nightmare to navigate in high school but it was the one time you were forced to actually use them. If you’re like me, it’s maybe left a bad taste in your mouth. But before you take the knee-jerk nope reaction, hear me out!

Databases can look a lot of different ways. For example, did you know there’s a database called Universal Classes that will teach you how to do a ton of different things, from basic computer skills, to cake baking, to how to train your dog?! Staff at my library even use it fairly often, because it’s got a bunch of really cool things in it.

If you’re finally ready to book that out-of-country getaway or just fascinated with languages in general, there are databases like Mango Languages to help learn new languages.

Databases like TumbleBooks and Teen Book Cloud provide access to e-books online. There are also other databases that allow you to read things like manga, graphic novels, and other books online (and I’m not talking about Libby, but that’s a thing too!) This will differ library to library, but it’s worth checking out.

Then there are the hobby databases like Ancestry and Fold3. Plus, did you know that some libraries are working to digitize their genealogy sections to make them available online, as well? Plenty to look at there!

“Database” doesn’t have to be a bad word. There are loads of possibilities there!

Robots, toys, and opportunities.

To be honest, you never know exactly what you’ll discover when you walk into a library. I can’t even begin to cover it in a post like this, because I don’t even know what to expect when I enter libraries. It’s why I love to go into the local library whenever I travel to a new town, to spy on what great things they’ve got going on.

For example, my library has recently acquired a set of Botley 2.0 robots for the older kids and Coding Critters for the little kids. Both groups absolutely love them. Best of all, they promote teamwork, logic, process, and all sorts of great foundational skills that will take them far in life. Basically, we trick them into learning by letting them play with cool gadgets. Neat trick, right?

As libraries become more of a place for community and learning, they tend to gather new toys and gadgets. This could be as simple as a playspace for children or it could be a makerspace, filled with 3D printers, Cricut, laser cutters, and lots of other things. It’s worth finding out what cool tools and technology your library may offer. You might just get to learn something new and interesting!

A sympathetic ear.

Librarians aren’t bartenders, but they do offer a lot of the same services. By which I don’t mean alcohol, obviously. Unless your library has something mine doesn’t have. In which case, I want to visit it! No, I mean the non-licensed, therapeutic, cathartic relief of telling someone your life story and having them treat you like the most important part of your day.

I’m not going to lie and say that every library has the same great customer service. Obviously, that’s not going to be true everywhere, just by the law of statistics. And logic. I will say that I’ve never felt unwelcome at a library that I’ve visited! Most often, the front desk staff are all too willing to chat and liven up the day. Feeling a bit lonely or bummed out? Stop by your library. Need somewhere quiet and peaceful to exist in for a bit? Library! The library is a cure for almost everything that ails you.

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