September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! If you’re not really into reading, you might be tempted to skip past any mention of a library card. Yet libraries have so many free services that you can take advantage of, even if you don’t want to borrow stacks of the latest bestsellers.

Here are some lesser-known benefits of having a library card aside from the books:

It’s Not Just Fiction Books!

Maybe you don’t read novels very much, but libraries also have plenty to offer in the non-fiction section. You could borrow a travel guide and an Ordnance Survey map to help you make the most of your next staycation. Or pick up a couple of recipe books to give you some fresh kitchen inspiration.

Join Events

Libraries have plenty going on in their events schedule, even if book clubs aren’t really your thing. From craft groups to meet-ups for parents and carers, these welcoming events are an opportunity to learn new things and connect with like-minded people.

COVID-19 may have put a stop to in-person events, but a steady return is happening in many libraries so it’s worth checking their website or popping in to ask about upcoming events. 

Virtual library events are another option if you’re not able to attend in person. Check out the British Library website for lots of online events and search for your local library on Facebook to see what’s going on.

Find a Perfect Space to Work

Serial lockdowns and an emerging work-from-home culture have left many of us tired of looking at the same four walls. A cosy spot in your local library could be a lovely free space to sit and get some work done while having a change of scenery at the same time. Plus you don’t have to feel obliged to buy endless cups of coffee!

Again, COVID-19 restrictions affected the numbers allowed in libraries, and different libraries may be lifting these limits at different times. It’s definitely worth checking that there is a workspace, and whether booking is required, to save you a wasted journey.

Download an Accessible App

You don’t even have to step through the library door to enjoy lots of freebies! Apps such as Libby, BorrowBox and Overdrive let you download a huge selection of ebooks and audiobooks using your library card. Many libraries also give you free digital access to subscriptions such as magazines and ancestry research tools.

Discover New Things at Different Types of Libraries

Branch out from your local library and see what other types of libraries have to offer! If your city has a university, see if the university library will allow you to join as an external borrower. You don’t need to have ever been a student there to access in-depth knowledge about your favourite subject.

In the process of learning a new language? Find out if there is a foreign language library nearby, where you can borrow books and films to really immerse yourself in the language.

Feel Part of your Community!

Nowadays, you’re not likely to hear a stern hush when you come into a library - instead, a parent might be reading a picture book to their little one in the children’s corner, while a library assistant chats at the counter with one of the regulars. 

As a library assistant, I love my job because welcoming, non-judgmental, free community spaces such as this have never been more valuable. It’s about so much more than the books - you’ll get a buzz just from turning up, tuning in to what’s happening in your local area, and supporting a little cornerstone of your community.

You may also like 5 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do at Your Local Library.

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Written by Florence Edwards