What are some unexpected perks of being a public library member?

Others have written eloquently about digital access; I want to focus on the physical space and the joy of holding a book in my hand. For me, a public library is my connection to a community, a source of learning and a place of comfort. Growing up in Newcastle, most weekends started with a Saturday morning swim at the public pool followed by a visit to the library. I loved the freedom to browse books, then later cassette tapes and CDs! I am grateful to my dad who let me and my brother look around while he kept an eye on us from a distance. The library is a social equaliser today, just as it was then. I see neighbours, strangers, people from all ages, genders, classes, races and religions in my library. It's a public service worth cherishing.

As someone who has appreciated visiting libraries with my children when they were young, and at the same time appreciates how technology assists us in our consistently busy lives, I was especially pleased to learn that we can now access books and audio books from the library apps … and it simplifies my ability to read a good book!

Beyond books, being a public library member offers unexpected digital perks! Access free e-books, audiobooks, and online courses. Dive into research databases, language learning tools, and even streaming services—all at your fingertips. Unlock a world of knowledge with just your library card!

This is my favorite feature. Usually this not only includes books and audiobooks, but also subscriptions to newspapers and magazines.

I have researched many newspapers dating back to the 1800s. A terrific resource and very interesting to see how “news” has changed over time.

Algunas herramientas y servicios de aprendizaje disponibles en una biblioteca pública que son ideales para apoyar el desarrollo personal incluyen: - Catálogos de e-books y audiolibros descargables. - Préstamo de dispositivos como tablets, e-readers, entre otros. - Recursos para la búsqueda de trabajo: portales de empleo, talleres de redacción de cv y preparación para entrevistas. - Clubes de lectura. - Grupos de discusión sobre temas específicos como historia, ciencia, cultura, etc. En Barcelona, las bibliotecas dan servicio a las personas con necesidades especiales. Sus instalaciones incorporan espacios con aulas multimedia, auditorios y salas polivalentes.

La lecture est l'un des leviers de développement culturel et d'épanouissement d'un esprit épris d'illumination ponctuée de souvenirs. Ainsi frotter sa cervelle à celles des autres demeure l'ultime aspiration que doit caresser un amoureux de la connaissance.

In North America, some libraries offer English conversations for English As a Second Language (ESL) folks with local volunteers on a weekly basis.

Networking can be an unexpected perk of being a public library member. When you visit a public library, you gain access to the local community. The connections you make at events, book clubs, or workshops can lead to valuable networking opportunities; whether it's finding potential employment opportunities, collaborators, mentors, or expanding your social circle.

Most libraries offer public spaces to learn in quiet, surrounded by like-minded people. Especially in Vienna, we have a chain of public libraries offering spaces with PCs, quiet areas and mobile phone free sitting spots. Perfect for studying, reading and hanging out in peace. :)

The ability to be able to use the different meeting rooms and study spaces a public library provides can be a live saver in many occasions or a change of scenery when working from home!

When you have different people in a library, even if they read the same book, the ideas and thoughts on that book always should sound different, which is so fascinating!

Ordering local newspapers, magazines and more is expensive - especially for freelancers and small agencies just starting out. Still you need those to be aware of what's happening in the world, what journalists are writing about and where you can place your clients. Here's where libraries come in handy: They offer a huge variety of magazines and newspapers to read, research and base your work on - without you having to spend hundreds of €/$ each month for different subscriptions. Most libraries even offer them digitally!

I got my conclusion bachelor task done in a library of the college, it was so interesting to realize how people get involved and how we can improve the experience of everyone who is looking for acknowledgment as well as some minutes of silence.