14 Library Card Benefits That Aren’t Just Free Books

While the internet can sometimes be a scary place, it does occasionally give us precious gifts, like the public library renaissance. Pioneered by chronically online zillennials — with the help, humor, and award-worthy acting chops of their older colleagues — LibraryTok has put the humble public library back on the map. Just when we feared the centuries-old democratic institution of the public library might slip into oblivion as little more than an artifact of the analog age, LibraryTok gave us such gems as this meditation on teamwork and this rendition of “Hot To Go,” making it known that libraries (and all their many, many services) will never go out of style.

And while you might have been a library-loving baddie in elementary school (all hotties were!), chances are you lost touch with the public library system somewhere along the line and forgot — or never knew — about all the different library card benefits that you get for free just by signing up. Yes, there’s a trove of free books just waiting to be checked out, but there’s also free technology services, career advice workshops, community classes, museum passes, and so much more.

Whether you’re looking to rekindle your love of reading, need a quiet spot to do remote work, or want to print out more adult coloring pages, your library card benefits will open more doors than you might have previously thought. Read on for a roundup of just some of the perks available at your local library.

Library Card Benefits

Free Books

Alright let’s just get this out of the way: Obviously the main appeal of every library is the books. You won’t need to spend a cent on books when you borrow from the library, and if you can’t find the book you want at your local branch, you can always put in a request and the book will be sent from another branch to a library near you. Most libraries make it easy to request holds for books using their site, but you can always ask a librarian for some in-person assistance.

Job Search Help

For those on the job hunt, don’t forget to hit up your local library. Not only does the library tend to have a quiet, office-like atmosphere, but many branches also offer free services to help job seekers like résumé and LinkedIn workshops, and free access to online programs that help you prep for your interview.

Access to Newspapers and Magazines

It’s hard to keep up with news and local issues when that means also keeping up with all the news different subscription services. Luckily, your local library is home to copies of most major and local newspapers that you can peruse for free. They also have stacks of magazines, from The Atlantic to National Geographic to Bon Appétit, that are available for cardholders.

Access to Archives

If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can relive your teen days with copies of magazines you used to read during your younger years. But if you’re looking for news clips dating back further, the library is an excellent resource — many have extensive archives of physical and microfiche news sources that can help bring research projects of all kinds to life.

Access to DVDs, CDs, and More

Blockbuster may be long dead, but if you’ve recently exhausted the Netflix catalog and you need some new inspiration, check out your local library’s collection of DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, and more depending on your location. (Your librarian will have a good sense of what’s available and what they may have to specially order for you.)

Ebook Access

It’s not just physical books that you’ll find at the library! If ebooks are your preferred form of absorbing the written word, your library card will get you free access to a handful of different audiobook services.

Sheet Music Access

Musicians love their local libraries. You can scan your songs for free and hold onto copies forever without spending a dime.

Exhibit Your Art

Many libraries display work from local artists. If you’re looking to gain exposure, the walls of your public library are a great place to start building community awareness of your work. Get in touch with the librarians to discuss how they curate their walls.

Free Printing and Scanning Services

Scan pages from books, sheet music, receipts, whatever you might need. Many library cards come with a (free) prepaid balance for using printers and scanners. If you’re a ritual printer and you spend all your free money, the per-page rates for future print jobs are often super low.

Entertainment For Kids

Want hours of entertainment for your child but don’t want to just stick them in front of an iPad screen? It’s public library time. Not only will it help your child develop a healthy love for books at a young age, there’s also lots of children’s programming, kids’ sections, and sometimes even play spaces for little ones.

Internet and Computer Access

Free WiFi and computer access are big draws to the library. (Shocker.) Whether you need to borrow a laptop or desktop computer, or you just want a quiet, safe space to get some work done on your own machine, the public library is a great option.

Free Access to Sites or Databases With Paywalls

With a library card, you can often access paid databases and sites with paywalls for free, such as Ancestry.com, Morningstar, journals, and more.

Museum Passes

Some libraries offer discounts or free passes to cultural institutions like art museums and aquariums. These typically have to be reserved well in advance, but it’s always worth checking in with your librarians about what’s available and when.

Legal Help

Curious about the legality of some action taken by your landlord or employer? You can look up the city, state, and federal codes in their entirety at the library. Staff librarians are well-versed in how to help if you’re feeling stuck.

Crafty Fun

Craft time is a sacred time for many, and many libraries host craft clubs that you can join. Also check out the DIY section for books that can help you choose your next big craft project.

Emma Glassman-Hughes (she/her) is the associate editor at PS Balance. In her seven years as a reporter, her beats have spanned the lifestyle spectrum; she’s covered arts and culture for The Boston Globe, sex and relationships for Cosmopolitan, and food, climate, and farming for Ambrook Research.