Library rules (as well as streaming library services)

Summer is almost here, and that means getting outside, enjoying the sun and touching the grass. But if you need to calm down a bit, allow me to sing the library’s praises. If your local library system is anything like mine, it probably offers a lot of great things you can do, both technology-related and non-technology-related, at no additional cost.

I am part of Multnomah County Library SystemAnd I’m honestly spoiled for choice with all the things available with just a free library card. The feature I use the most is the ability to fill my Kindle with the wide range of eBooks available through it Overdrivea platform that collaborates with thousands of libraries to distribute their digital collections. Thanks to this option, I always have something to read; I’m able to reserve 10 eBooks in the catalogue, and I usually do this when I get a recommendation from a friend or see something that might interest me. When the reservation finally goes through, it only takes a few clicks for the book to be ready to publish on my Kindle the next time I open it.

Of course, it can sometimes take weeks for a reservation to be ready, especially for popular books. I’ve waited a long time for my contract Hail Mary project through. (Worth the wait!) But I’m a slow enough reader that I usually don’t bother waiting. When I open my email and see a notification that the book I was expecting is ready for download, it’s a treat. OverDrive also has an app, LibyanWhere you can read books, magazines and listen to audio books.

Overdrive says It works with “more than 92,000 public libraries, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and businesses in 115 countries around the world,” so there’s a good chance you’ll get access to it, too. If you want to know if your library or school supports this, you can Check out the OverDrive website.

However, my library card doesn’t just allow me to borrow e-books; My library system also cooperates with a free service called He hopeswhich gives me access to a range of movies, TV shows, music, and even comic books through its website and app. Thanks to Hoopla, I can often listen to new albums the same day they’re released on other streaming services, and my wife has fallen in love with shows like French villagewatch the full tour from the UK The officeAnd I re-watched it Black orphan.

There are some major caveats: the catalog isn’t as good as what you’ll find on a paid service like Netflix or Spotify, the video content doesn’t stream in 4K, and you only have a limited number of items you can borrow each month. But in a pinch, Hoopla is a good place to find something new to try, and best of all, it doesn’t cost me anything. To find out if you have access to Hoopla, the platform will search for partner libraries near you when you sign up, or you can check with your local library. (If you have a library card, you may also want to check and see if you have access to it To Kanopyanother service with TV shows and movies.)

Of course, the library has a lot Physical books that I can check out to read as well. Even though I do most of my reading on my Kindle, there’s still something unbeatable about sitting in a comfy chair and cracking open a good, real book every now and then. (This helps the physical book never run out of battery!) The Multnomah County Library System also offers DVDs and music CDs, so there’s plenty of other great physical media to check out. Some library systems even loan out video games, which seems like a great way to check out new titles An increasingly expensive hobby.

So far I’ve talked about things you can borrow from the library, but many libraries offer valuable community services like computers, printers, meeting rooms, programs for children and teens, and even Maker spaces. A library can also be a nice, quiet place to sit for a short while, especially if it has air conditioning.

You probably already have a busy summer planned with places to visit and things to try. But you should really leave some room in your schedule for a trip to the library. I know I’ll be making some visits.

Screenshots from Jay Peters/The Verge