Public Libraries Need Your Support: 8 Ways to Use Your Library Card

Libraries have always been more than buildings filled with books. They are sanctuaries of knowledge, creativity, and community. But in the wake of a sharp rise in book bans and censorship attempts, libraries have also become a frontline defense for intellectual freedom. 

In 2023, the American Library Association recorded over 4,000 attempts to ban books, the highest number on record. Many of these challenges targeted titles addressing race, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ lives. As book bans escalate, librarians are standing firm to ensure that stories reflecting all of humanity remain accessible. Programs like Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned initiative, which offers free digital access to challenged books for teens nationwide, show just how vital libraries have become in this cultural and civil rights fight.

At the same time, libraries continue to deliver extraordinary value to their communities, often in surprising ways. Your library card is one of the most powerful and underrated memberships you can hold. Here are eight ways to make the most of it: 

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Stream Movies, TV Shows, and Audiobooks

Forget expensive streaming subscriptions. With apps like Hoopla and Libby, your library card unlocks a whole lot of films, TV shows, eBooks, and audiobooks you can enjoy instantly from home.

Borrow More Than Books

Libraries are embracing the library of things movement. That means you might be able to check out board games, musical instruments, gardening tools, art prints, or even packets of seeds for your backyard. This will depend on your local library’s availability, so look into it! Public libraries hold a lot more than books. 

Unlock Free Museum and Zoo Passes

Many libraries partner with cultural institutions to provide free or discounted admission. In Georgia, for instance, a simple DVD rental from your library can score you a free trip to Zoo Atlanta. Look into your local library to see what admissions it can help you score for free or at a discounted price. 

Borrow Beyond Your Branch

Reciprocal agreements between library systems mean that your single card can sometimes give you borrowing rights across entire regions, multiplying your access to books and media. Do your research to find out if your local public library has one of these agreements and see how your options expand. 

Learn and Connect Through Classes

From genealogy workshops and craft classes to coding labs, yoga, and Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, libraries host a wide range of free or low-cost programs for all ages and interests. Usually, public libraries have email newsletters that will provide a monthly overview of upcoming classes, workshops, and activities, so keep an eye on it. 

Create in MakerSpaces and Digital Labs

Modern libraries offer more than quiet reading rooms. Many now feature spaces equipped with 3D printers, sewing machines, video editing suites, and digital learning labs where you can bring your ideas to life. These spaces are known as Idea Labs, so ask about it in your local library if you’re curious about what they have to offer. 

Preserve Your Family Memories

Some libraries provide Memory Labs, which are special equipment that allows you to digitize old photos, film reels, VHS tapes, and audio recordings so your family history lives on.

Why Your Support Matters

Libraries are not neutral ground in today’s climate; they are pillars of democracy and free expression. The surge in censorship is an attack on access, diversity, and the right to knowledge. By using your library card, attending programs, or advocating for library funding, you’re standing up for equal access to ideas. Supporting libraries means safeguarding the right to think freely, learn openly, and imagine boldly. And it starts with something as simple as swiping your library card.