14 Ways to Use Your Local Library

I think it’s obvious by now that I love books. I love reading physical books, e-books, and I am even finding myself getting into audiobooks. While I love to shop for books, sometimes I think something that is really underused is the ultimate bookish resource, the library! 

Here are 14 fantastic ways to make use of your local library … and I didn’t even mention the usual borrowing books! Just so that you’re aware some of the links below are affiliate links which don’t cost you any extra but help to fund my book addiction!

Make sure to hit up the comments to let me know how you use your library.

Try another format

Physical books aren’t the only things you can get from the library! E-books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and more are available or course BUT did you know that some libraries will let you try out e-readers? This would be a great way to kick your reading slump that I wrote about before! Check with your local library to see if they have some on hand as a sort of “try before you buy” experiment if you’re thinking or buying a Kindle or Kobo. 

Shop for less

We all love a good sale! Especially when books are involved. My local library always has a cart of books for sale and some libraries do a yearly sale. The first reason this is great because it brings in a little bit more money for the library but also, the prices are deeply discounted so you get to keep a little bit more money in YOUR pocket! While I love shopping Book Outlet , sometimes I like that physical shopping feeling too.

Activities for Kids

Did you know that many libraries have scheduled activities and events for children? It’s amazing. Someone else will entertain your kids FOR free! FREE!! Now if only I could convince them to provide wine for the parents at the same time. Also for free. 

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Take a Class

We can all stand to learn a new skill. I sure can at least! Many libraries offer single classes or even whole courses and most of the time they’re free. Are you seeing a trend here? I like things that are free. It’s my second favorite F word!

Go Down a Rabbit Hole

The beautiful thing about being in a library is that, just like in a bookstore, there are sections for anything and everything. You want to learn to knit? See above point … or just check out the Crafting section. My library has a whole section of local history books and references. This is great for when you want to read about something in particular and also great for when you want to keep reading things about that because now you’re down that rabbit hole.

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Place Holds from Home

You don’t even have to put on a bra and leave the house for this one so that’s a real bonus! If you already know what you’re looking for, you can go onto your library’s website and have it set aside for you so it’s ready to pick up and you don’t even have to search.

Hold a Meeting

Sometimes being a blogger (or anyone who is self employed) can be lonely. Want to meet with your peeps? Lots of libraries actually have multipurpose rooms that you can book. A few years ago some mom friends and I got together and had a Halloween party with all of our kids at our local library. We had fun and nobody had to make their house presentable!

See a Movie

If you’re in the mood for some cheap entertainment, check the library’s schedule! My local library screens movies twice a week and yours might too! There’s usually an evening movie through the week and a children’s movie on weekends. Sometimes they’re seasonal and sometimes they’re just random. Every so often my library does Disney movie marathon days of classic Disney movies!

Get Your Game On

Lots of libraries have board games to play and some even have video games consoles! When I took the kids to the library the other day, there were a few kids there on the computers playing Minecraft which is great because now all my 5 year old wants to do is play Minecraft. Thanks library …

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Explore Your History

Don’t want to pay for your own Ancestry account? No problem! Make use of the computers at the library and use theirs! Not only that, but there are a whole host of resources to choose from when doing genealogy and family historical research. Your library should also be able to point you in the right direction for whatever information you’re looking for.

Let the Kids Play

Want to know what my favorite thing to do when I just need to get out of the house with the kids is? We go to the library and they just play! On the way, I’ll grab a fancy drink at the drive-thru so I can sit and enjoy a hot beverage while the kids enjoy playing with fun toys at the library! Our library often has crafts and things set up for the little ones if that’s something they like too!

Learn a Language

This is in line with taking a class but I know that my local library offers conversational french once a week and yours would probably have something similar. I am in New Brunswick which is Canada’s only officially bilingual province so lots of anglophones want to take the opportunity to brush up on their francais from time to time. I should probably do that myself!

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Create Something

My library has something fantastic called Makerspace. They’ve got sewing machines, tools, Photoshop, video editing software, and even 3D printers! If you can dream it up, you can probably create it there. How cool is that?

Play in the Past

We’ve already talked about genealogy but what if you want to learn some local history from the source? Scour through old newspapers and microfilm. I always find it so cool to look at old public records like passenger manifests from ships on microfilm because there’s something so personal about seeing someone’s handwriting from the past. 

And there you go! There are 14 great ways that you can make good use out of your local library!