This Memorial Day weekend, a document variety of persons are anticipated to be touring and if a type of tens of millions of oldsters is you, you could be in search of some leisure choices in your lengthy drive or flight. But as a substitute of shelling out for the price of a Netflix or Audible subscription, take into account getting a library card.
Libraries are seeing a resurgence of curiosity and there are a number of causes behind that. The price of dwelling has been climbing and libraries are an underrated supply of inexpensive leisure. In the age of streaming, additionally they provide a extra secure, constant supply of flicks and TV than providers like Netflix and Prime Video, with their ever-changing libraries.
And have you ever seen a few of the issues Amazon’s Kindle service has been providing? It’s not a shock that bodily books have gotten extra interesting.
According to a latest Google Trends e-newsletter, questions associated to library playing cards, particularly learn how to get one, have been searched “greater than ever in 2025.” Whatever your motive is, I’m right here to assist stroll you thru the method.
“But CNET,” I hear you retort, “aren’t you all about telephones and streaming providers — these smooth, electrical totems of contemporary life? Why library playing cards? And what if I do not even need bodily books for my travels?” Stick round — you could be shocked by what number of trendy leisure choices a library card unlocks, plus entry to loads of good old style books.
For extra, examine how one can entry greater than 30,000 motion pictures and TV exhibits free with a library card and take a look at a few of the finest Memorial Day offers CNET has discovered.
How do I join a library card?
You most likely will not be shocked to listen to that this course of is fairly easy, as you’ll be able to nonetheless get a library card the way in which you have at all times been capable of, by going to your native library department and asking for one on the entrance desk.
Those good librarians will most certainly must see some ID and proof of residency. Libraries are nonetheless funded by tax {dollars} in order that they want to verify the folks utilizing their providers are paying native taxes. A legitimate driver’s license along with your present deal with ought to do the trick but when your deal with is not updated (I will not identify names, however I’ll level the finger squarely at myself right here), you will must deliver another proof of residency, like some latest mail along with your identify and deal with.
Every library system is completely different, nevertheless, and it is best to most likely examine its web site or name to be sure you know what its necessities are. From there, you have to be all set. Have a go searching in any respect the books obtainable to you now.
Might I like to recommend I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin? It has loads to say about these subtle totems of modernity we talked about earlier. If you need one thing a bit brighter and holiday-ready in your Memorial Day weekend, I actually cannot suggest the collected works of Emily Henry sufficient.
The American Library Association is the oldest skilled group dedicated to libraries and advocates for his or her growth and use worldwide. Speaking with CNET by way of e mail, ALA President Cindy Hohl laid out the affiliation’s argument for libraries within the trendy period.
“A library card is without doubt one of the strongest instruments anybody can have which affords entry to many assets past books,” Hohl wrote. “Libraries are a go-to place for individuals who want entry to expertise whether or not it is computer systems, printers or Wi-Fi hotspots, to call a number of. A library’s assortment will differ in every group because it adapts to fulfill its wants, one would possibly discover entry to distinctive or nontraditional objects for checkout comparable to digicam gear, energy instruments and cookware. Libraries proceed to play a important function in info entry, studying and tradition.”
Can I join a library card on-line?
Yes, you definitely can, however there’s most likely a catch.
Many library methods lately will allow you to create an account and join a library card on-line. In my expertise, this often leads to you getting an account quantity that you should utilize to entry the library’s digital providers and even borrow books in individual. However, these libraries nonetheless want to substantiate your identification and residency, so this new account would possibly solely be obtainable for a short while, requiring you to indicate up in individual ultimately to finish the method and get a bodily card. Alternatively, you would possibly discover that the quantity of stuff you are able to do with a digital card is proscribed in comparison with the bodily card.
Ultimately, on-line library card sign-ups are a pleasant comfort for people with loads happening however they don’t seem to be a full substitute for a bodily card. Depending on the place you reside, the larger library methods in your state would possibly let all state residents join digital playing cards, with none requirement that you simply present up in individual. As a New York state resident, I’m ready to enroll in playing cards from the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens libraries, although I do not reside wherever close to New York City.
Can I borrow ebooks and audiobooks?
Here are these trendy conveniences I promised you. In this point in time, there are a number of providers that mean you can borrow ebooks or digital audiobooks, simply by getting into your library card info. In the previous, I’ve written loads about my favourite of those providers, Libby, which is an easy-to-use and tremendous inexpensive different to Kindle, Apple Books and Audible. You may additionally take a look at Hoopla, which affords ebooks, audiobooks, music and video.
Do library playing cards have streaming advantages?
Who wants Netflix and its more and more outlandish month-to-month price? In addition to all kinds of books, Hoopla may also allow you to stream motion pictures, TV exhibits and even music free, so long as you might have a library card. You may additionally wish to take into account Kanopy, one other free library card service, however one which focuses extra on indie, traditional and documentary movies.
According to statistics supplied to CNET by the ALA, 95% of US libraries at the moment provide some kind of entry to ebooks and audiobooks, whereas 57.5% provide entry to different streaming media.
