14 Library Card Benefits That Aren't Just Free Books

Just when we feared the public library might slip into oblivion as little more than an artifact of the analog age, #LibraryTok put the centuries-old democratic institution back on the map. Pioneered by chronically online zillennials — with the help, humor, and award-worthy acting of their older colleagues — LibraryTok has given 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.

Nowadays, with the dismantling of state-funded programs and massive cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, public libraries are in dire need of support. But even if you were a library-loving baddie in elementary school (all hotties were!), it's understandable if 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. Everyone knows the library has a trove of free books ripe for the picking, but fewer know about the technology services, career advice workshops, community classes, museum passes, and so many more perks that come with a free library card.

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 think. Read on for a roundup of just some of the perks available at your local library.

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 online using their site, but you can always ask a librarian for some in-person assistance.

For those on the job hunt, your local library might be an unlikely resource. Not only does the library tend to have a quiet, office-like atmosphere, but many branches also offer free services, like résumé and LinkedIn workshops, and free access to online programs that can help you prep for interviews.

It's hard to keep up with the news when that also means keeping up with all the different news subscriptions. 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.

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.

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 might need to specially order for you.)

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.

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

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.

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 still quite low and shouldn't break the bank.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.