25 of The Coolest Things You Can Get From the Library
It's more than just books! (Although those are awesome, obviously.)
April is Library Appreciation Month, and with libraries facing steep budget cuts, it felt like the perfect time to shout my love for libraries from the proverbial rooftops.
Libraries have been a part of my story since childhood, when I would scour the VHS tapes for Shirley Temple films and episodes of Faeirie Tale Theater to go with my stack of picture books.
As a young mom, the library was my go-to for rainy days—a safe and free space where my kids and I were both welcome, and I could say YES to everything. Sure, we can take all those books home! Yes, grab those DVDs, too! Play with that block tower, do that scavenger hunt! I can’t overstate how lovely it is to have a yes space when you have young kids.
Libraries are essential third spaces, offering a wealth of community resources (wifi, job assistance, homework help, I could go on!), spaces to gather and work1, and opportunities to connect with neighbors through clubs and events. And in a time when many families’ budgets are being stretched, libraries also offer a treasure trove of free entertainment.
From books to board games to themed movie nights, here are a few of my favorite things you can check out at your local library.
Books
This is the most obvious and also the trickiest category, as I could never narrow my favorites down to twenty, let alone five. And yet, I persist. Here are the five books I can’t stop recommending right now.2
How to Walk Into a Room3- If you’re navigating any kind of tricky decision and feel stuck or overwhelmed, Emily P. Freeman is the wise and encouraging companion you’re looking for. Her tips for discerning when to stay and when to leave (whether it’s a relationship, job, faith community, neighborhood, etc.) are approachable, gentle, and extremely practical.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles- I already mentioned this in my great big book wrap up of 2024, but I can’t stop recommending this book that’s completely unique and utterly loveable.
Help. Thanks. Wow. I keep returning to this slim book from Anne Lamott that grounds me when I can’t seem to find words. Sometimes Help, Thanks, and Wow is all you need.
I’ve Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having it Out with God- This is the book I wish I would’ve had 10 years ago, but I still found so much solace, laughter, and encouragement in Erin’s words. If you’ve got big, scary questions about God, your faith, or what the heck is going on with Christians these days, this is the book for you.
Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again- This book really shifted my thinking around social media and phone usage, but it’s not a book that will shame you or blame you for being on your phone too much. It really focuses on the systemic reasons behind our culture’s lack of attention, and ways we can opt out and opt in to a better future.
DVDs or BluRays
Are you tired of paying for monthly streaming subscriptions and then still having to suffer through commercials? ME TOO. Grab a box set of your favorite TV shows from the library and have a proper binge for free! Our library even puts together box sets based on themes like: Girl’s Night, Royals, or Hallmark Mysteries. I mean, “The Comedy Stylings of Steve Martin?” Sounds like a great weekend to me.
The Good Place- This comedy about the afterlife is also a sneaky good thought experiment about humanity, eternity, and what makes a life, or a person, “good”.
Grantchester- A conflicted priest and a grumpy detective team up to solve murders in a quaint post-WW2 town in Britain. This one had my number from the get-go. I haven’t watched since Season 3, but those first three were CHEF’S KISS.
Hacks- Yes, you can even get “prestige” TV at the library. This HBO series about an aging comic and her up-and-coming assistant is smart and tons of fun.
Bluey- Disney+ has a chokehold on the parent community, and I get it, I truly do. But you can, in fact, borrow all the Marvel movies, Star Wars (even season 1 of Andor!), and all the Disney animated and live action classics from the library. And, most importantly, BLUEY!
Some other favorites I found in our library catalogue: Ted Lasso, Brooklyn 99, Superstore, Kim’s Convenience, New Girl, Great British Baking Show, Happy Ending, Seinfeld, Downton Abbey
Cookbooks
I loooove checking out cookbooks from the library. There is nothing better than flipping through a gorgeous cookbook next to a sunny window on a weekend morning. Do I romanticize cookbooks? Yes, I do. The best thing about borrowing cookbooks is getting to try a few recipes before deciding if it’s a must-buy. Here are my favs:
Cravings- To be honest, I am not a fan of most celebrity cookbooks. (Leave something for the rest of us, celebrities!) BUT Chrissy really knows her stuff and I adore this cookbook that’s a celebration of all kinds of food—from guilty pleasures to Thai recipes from her mom to vintage favorites like tuna casserole. I appreciate a celebrity who’s not afraid to open a canned soup or eat potato chips on a weeknight.
Midwest Made- Shauna Sever captures the unfussy, nostalgic baked goods that I love so much. I visit this one often when I need a dessert for a potluck.
The Modern Proper- My go-to when I need dinner inspiration that won’t require a ton of time or a special trip to the grocery store.
101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die- I was able to meet Chef Tila in person, and his enthusiasm is contagious! Tila’s love for great food sings in this approachable book of both common and uncommon Asian dishes.
The King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion- An absolute gold mine of breads, muffins, cakes, pies, and bars. I often use this as a jumping off point for creating my own recipes.
Board Games
I have library cards for a few different systems in our area, and not all of them have board games available, but several do! Adding new board games into the rotation is one of the best parenting-through-the-long-cold-winter hacks I know.
Hoot Owl Hoot- There was a season where we absolutely could not play competitive games as a family without someone bursting into (figurative) flames. During that time, we leaned on cooperative games like Hoot Owl Hoot. This one is fantastic for the preschool set.
Hand to Hand Wombat- We recently discovered this game where everyone works together to build a tower while a secret saboteur destroys it. Our 9 and 6 year olds LOVE this one!
OuiSi- I’m a big fan of beautiful, quiet, cooperative games, and this is my current favorite. There are so many different ways to play, and it’s a nice thing to pull out when we’re trying to foster a calmer energy before bedtime.
Hues and Clues- Another beautiful game that comes with a gigantic board of colors. Players describe the color on their card, and everyone elses guesses which color it is. It’s a lot more challenging than you’d think!
Audiobooks
Look at me getting to share five more books with this tricky little workaround. Audiobooks deserve their own category, as they often deliver a unique experience, totally different than the written version! Here are books that I LOVED, and think are best enjoyed, on audio. My favorite way to borrow audiobooks is through the Libby app. It’s super easy!
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers- Jesse Sutano’s characters come alive in this zany murder mystery featuring a delightful Asian mother with no boundaries and a quirky crew of suspects turned friends.
Apples Never Fall or What Alice Forgot- These are my favorites of Liane Moriarty’s and both are excellent on audio. I love the way Moriarty captures complicated family dynamics inside a suspense-filled mystery, and the Australian narration definitely adds to the story.
My Lady Jane- This coming of age tale reimagines the story of Lady Jane Grey, the 9 day queen (with a much happier ending!). I loved this one so much, I shared it with my husband, and now we yell “Horse Curse!” for no reason except our own weird enjoyment. The British accents are PERFECTION. I can’t wait to share this one with my kids when they’re just a bit older.
Born a Crime- My first recommendation for audiobook newbies. Trevor Noah’s memoir is equal parts hysterical and insightful.
Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives- I’ve never read a memoir that so perfectly captures the beauty and hilarity and wonder and sorrow of being a human, and especially being a parent. I laughed and cried and clutched my heart all the way through this one.
Other things to look for:
Every library system is a bit different in what it offers, but here are a few other things I’ve seen offered at libraries. Visit your local branch to see what’s available near you!
Culture passes- Our Columbus Metropolitan Library system allows you to check out culture passes for some of the city’s best destinations and shows, including the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo, Franklin Park, Shadowbox Live, Columbus Symphony, and BalletMet.
Video games
Seed packets
Telescopes
Wifi hotspots
Specialty Cake Pans
Sewing Machines
Cricuts
Tools
Support your local library!
Now is a great time to contact your representatives and let them know how much you appreciate your library! The ALA offers several ways to show your support at this link.
If you’re in Ohio like me, use this link to learn more about proposed cuts to library funding and what you can do to stop it.
And now it’s your turn! What’s the best or most unusual thing you’ve ever checked out at the library? Please share it in the comments!
The low hum of a library increases productivity five fold, I’m almost certain.
Follow along on Storygraph to see my past five star reads. Or check out my list on Bookshop.org.
I will be sharing affiliate links to books on Bookshop.org, so you can read more about them, but of course, I recommend you check them out at your local library!
A few other things that Courtney didn't mention is
- Magazines and Newspapers -
Try accessing those normally paywalled articles and news sites using your library. Some will have online agreements that unlock that premium content when you're using a library connection. If not, most libraries have stacks of those same print publications available.
My library growing up used to put the newspapers on these big old swinging arms arranged like shopping for carpets but they were from all over the place. I can still remember the sound of folks rifling through them.
- Music -
If you are a music nerd, the library can be an invaluable resource. Not only will they have a treasure trove of CDs and maybe even some DVD live performances, but they are THE place to find free access to that one specific recording of a track you're looking for. (ex. Gustav Holst's Planets performed by the London Symphony Orchestra in 2001 @ the Sydney Opera House.) It can be especially handy for older artists/recordings that would have predated digital. (Love em or hate em, the old analog media formats degrade over time, and your library likely has access to a digital archive for preservation purposes).
- Access to Miscellaneous Online Libraries and Repositories -
If you imagine it, your local library might just have access to it online.
I'm talking about all those paywalled Stock photo libraries, royalty-free music or other digital assets, 3d printer files, or access to databases, research, science or medical journals... Try to use your library card instead of your credit card anytime a professional organization is controlling access to their resources.