I retired from my position as a public library cataloguer two and a half years ago. That doesn’t preclude me from loving libraries as much, if not more, than I ever did.
Why, you ask?
Besides books (and honestly… what’s better than books?), you can get SO MUCH MORE with just a library card. In addition to the physical magazines, audiobooks and DVDs that the library world has been providing its patrons with for some years now, the modern public library provides access to a plethora of online content.
For example, here is an example of what my local library offers its patrons:
You can use Overdrive to download ebooks and audiobooks. Some of the Overdrive titles I’m interested in this week at my library:
You can use RBDigital to download many magazines to your device. You can keep them indefinitely! Some of my most recent magazine downloads are:
You can use Hoopla to stream movies, music, and more!
I was overjoyed to learn that Hoopla had the most recent season of one of my favorite TV shows! You can also stream movies, both old and new! And don’t forget you can stream your favorite music to your device of choice as well!
In addition to the online services I mentioned, there are also services especially geared for children with games, streaming audio and more. There are specialized services for people with disabilities. You can get online access to databases, encyclopedias, comics, service manuals, online product reviews, car repair manuals, online tutorials in various subjects, newspapers, language instruction, and much, much more!
Have you visited your library lately? If not, visit from home with your computer and your library card.
Addendum: I urge you to read some of the comments to this post. Though the ones I’ve received so far are positive in nature, I received this negative comment on Twitter and thought you might like to read it. Feel free to agree with this Tweet or disagree, as is your choice.
AND here are my replies to Richard Allen’s comment:
Fictionophile 
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Great article! Thanks for sharing. When visiting my granddaughters this summer we made several trips to the library for different events and one even got her library card! Glad public libraries are alive and well.
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Wonderful! It always makes my heart glad to hear about children being introduced to libraries.
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Its funny because my 4 year old didn’t get the concept at first that she had to return the books or the dvd. It was a foreign idea. They are used to bookstores. Kids these days. She’s working on learning to write her full name so that she can get her own card! All the best.
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It never ceases to amaze me what amazing services libraries and wonderful librarians are able to offer to our communities, on ever-limited budgets!! They are the unsung heroes, honestly ❤ I don't think I would be half the reader or writer I am today without access to a fantastic public library in my childhood. I will go in to bat for libraries every time!!
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Sheree it is heartening to hear that you support libraries and that your past experience with them has been so positive. ♥️
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Yessss to this! Libraries are honestly what inspired me to kickstart my book blogging and reviewing. I’m also part of a monthly YA book group and for someone who is extremely shy, it’s really opened up doors for me socially and mentally. Here in the UK, there are libraries sadly under threat including the main one I go to. It’s been a really rough time the last few years. I’m just hoping that nothing bad happens to them, since libraries do change people’s lives. 💕
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Thanks Alice-Elizabeth. Fingers crossed that your library will remain viable. Thanks for pointing out that many libraries are struggling for funding.
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Wonderful post! I’m almost done with my Bachelor’s and then I hope to start an MLIS program, so it’s fair to say that I love libraries. And I agree that they offer a great deal more than most people realize, and a lot of intangible benefits some people (like your twitter poster) might not recognize. It offers a safe space for many people, and resources that many people don’t have access to. Libraries feed curiosity, expand horizons, expose people to local artists and authors, provide activities for children (and parents!), acts as a meeting space for people with similar interests (my local branch has an adult coloring book, a puzzle group), you can reserve space for meetings or to study when you don’t have regular access to a quiet space, or perhaps don’t have internet available at home…I could go on and on. Libraries were a safe space for me when I was a kid, and they are still a haven for me today.
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Wonderful observations Myndi. ♥️ Good luck with your MLIS.
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Fabulous post! Libraries are important for lots of different reasons. I’m volunteering at mine again for the summer reading challenge for primary aged children. It’s the third year running that I’ve volunteered and it’s so popular that sometimes it’s hard to hear the children tell me about their books. The tweet you featured makes me so cross and I admire you response.
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Thanks so much for your supportive comment Nicki. Those summer reading challenges were always ultra popular in the library I worked at as well.
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Wonderful and important post Lynne. So many wonderful comments and all true. I have been a library patron from the time I could ride my bike the few blocks to my local library. I am not sure what I would do without it, in fact, I am heading there today. I have become friends with the wonderful librarians that work there. They know what I like and are always ready to converse about my most recent read. I love that they run various book clubs depending on age and interest. I don’t mind spending the bit of my taxes that support my public library!
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Yes Carla, I am in complete agreement. Like anything in life, you get out what you put in. If you patronize your library you will be rewarded in many ways.
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For sure.
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Great post! I support local libraries wholeheartedly and also include a page on my site where I “review” libraries I have visited. Im still figuring out a rhythm for it, but it is something I enjoy doing! Love the info you provided!
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Thanks so much for the kind words. I’m hoping that this post will make more people aware of the myriad services that modern public libraries have to offer.
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What a great blog post, Lynne.
I was thinking of doing one myself about libraries recently as we have a new downtown library in Calgary being built that you can donate to by purchasing a glass block window with whatever you would like engraved on it. As someone who feels the library, in all its forms (physical, as well as the e-library) is a valuable resource for everyone old and young and an important part of the community to keep literacy strong I have purchased one with What’s Better Than Books? engraved on it.
Hopefully this one man’s opinion is the minority versus the majority and that libraries still play an important role in the lives of generations to come.
Not to mention the MLIS Masters program at UofA is still on my daughters shortlist to apply to in the fall. So we are definitely library fans. Xx
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Thanks so much Zoe. Your support of libraries – and of my blog, is appreciated. ♥️
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I think it is SO great that your blog will be immortalised within your library. Very cool fundraising idea.
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Hi Lynne. Like you, I’m thumbs-up about public libraries. I enjoy wandering thru the aisles, coming upon good books almost by chance.
Neil
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Thanks Neil. I’m delighted to hear that you appreciate public libraries.
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Love love this post! Also fellow Canadian so it made me happy 😊 I’m from Calgary and fortunately I can say that my public libraries are well used. Granted some branches will be more busy than the others but overall they are busy. I love my library and would always always support them, especially since there’s more than a few people who won’t be able to afford books if not for them.
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Thanks SO much! It makes my heart happy to hear that we Canadians have such warm feelings about our local libraries.
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Exactly! I especially love it because most of the locations I visit are always chock full of kids! That’s why it makes it hard for me to believe when people say reading is becoming obsolete 🙂
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Yes, the libraries welcome young readers of all ages – hopefully fostering a life-long love of reading and everything else libraries have to offer.
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I completely agree with this. It’s so much more than just physical books. I get all my audiobooks though the library, and some ebooks as well. Our local system also lets you borrow tools and musical instruments as well. Not to mention all the programs they host – from ESL classes to kids programs to tech skills. Definitely gotta love them!
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Thanks Hilary. I’m so glad that you agree with me about the value libraries add to their communities.
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Really amazing post 🙂
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Thanks SO much! ♥
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I worked in a suburban public library for over 33 years. I delivered books to the home bound, helped kids with homework, did readers advisory, taught seniors computer basics, helped people fill out online job applications, and so much more. Libraries are a vital part of our communities and as much as budgets allow, constantly reinvent services to fit current needs.
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Yes, Yes, and Yes. I feel that the people who disparage libraries have no idea of their value to the community. I had hoped that this post would enhance awareness of this value, yet there will always be some who think their tax-payer’s dollars would be better spent elsewhere. Thanks SO much for your comment.
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Love your post and I know that I would not be the reader I am today without the library service. I particularly like your response to that tweet!!
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Thanks Cleo. It is hard to respond to a criticism of something you feel so strongly about.
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My very first job was at my local, rural library. I began volunteering when I was 14 and they put me on the payroll the day I turned 15. We were in an old historical home then and I could go entire shifts without seeing a soul but I loved that job. The library has since moved and is now in a beautiful, modern building. I went many years without going to a library. I was working so much at one point that it just seemed easier to purchase the books in order to avoid the fines and guilt. I’ve recently returned and am so impressed with everything my library has to offer. Author events, educational presentations, etc. Some libraries near me even lend art. Long live the library!
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Hurrah Ann Marie! Thanks for your positive comment.
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Totally agree with you Lynne! Public libraries have SO much to offer absolutely everyone from every walk of life and are still as relevant, if not more, today than they’ve ever been. I also enjoy using Overdrive, RB digital and most recently hoopla where I’ve streamed some really great music including excellent decade compilation “mixtapes”. Totally worth checking out all that your public library has to offer, and not that I’m biased being an employee of the Halifax Public Libraries, but our library also offers amazing programming for adults, teens and kids not to mention an award-winning amazingly beautiful Central Library in the downtown core.
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Thanks Dorothy! You added some valid points – we are very lucky to live in an area where libraries are both well used AND progressive in their thinking.
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Yes, I’ve been to several this year.
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That’s great to hear Pamela. ♥
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Yes! Libraries are wonderful places,treasure troves, usually full of helpful, nice people who love books (obviously 🙂 as much as I do. I didn ´t know you were a librarian!
I´m very glad libraries have “reinvented” themselves to keep up with new technologies;this makes them attractive places for new generations.
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Yes, I believe that libraries MUST keep up with current technologies to remain viable entities in today’s world. Thanks Paula.
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Lynne, they’ve actually renovated several of the libraries here in my area. And they have all kinds of programs, especially for the kids.
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I live in rural Mexico part of the year and in rural northern New Mexico part of the year, so libraries are not really a part of my life. I am glad to see your library has adapted so well to the changing times. As a child, the children’s area of the old, huge, brick downtown library was a magical place, and I remain in awe of the stacks in my university library. Congratulations on your retirement from a noble career and your opportunities to have more time for reading.
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Thanks. You’ve pointed out a valid issue – that rural libraries do not often have the needed funding to acquire many of the more progressive online services as most modern urban libraries do. Thanks for your comment.
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