Read on for some creative ways to make the most of your library!
Okay! Back at it with part two of how to take full advantage of your library. If you didn’t see part 1, be sure to check it out here!
In this part, we’ll get into even more creative ways you may not have considered. I hope you learn something and walk away motivated to utilize some of these resources.
Disclaimer: I live in North America, so these resources may not be available everywhere. Hopefully, where you are, there’s even more!
Let’s get into it!
- Museum Passes, Ski Passes, and Vehicle Day Passes for Provincial Parks
I also consider this one a
hidden gem . Be sure to check your local library to see if there’s anything similar available.
I’ve found that these are often available for families, so that might be a little restrictive depending on your situation. Beware that passes are also limited, so you may want to look into reserving in advance of when you want to use them.
However, this is a great option if you’re on a budget, but still want to explore local history, art, parks, and more.
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/access-passes-museums-parks-and-skiing
https://smcl.org/museum-passes/ - Musical Instruments
Explore the world of music with your library’s musical instrument collection. From guitars to drums, pianos to violins, discover the sounds of different cultures and time periods all free to borrow!
Halifax Public Libraries Sun Life Musical Collection
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/instruments
- LinkedIn Learning Courses
Take your career to the next level with LinkedIn Learning courses available through your local library. From business to technology, there’s a wide range of topics to choose from. This is normally a paid service, so it’s amazing that you can access it for free this way.
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/resources/linkedin-learning-0 - Research Materials
Access academic resources for your research needs through a higher education institution. With millions of books, articles, and databases, you’ll find the information you need to support your studies.
**Note: for this one, you would need a login for a higher education institution, but if you can get your hands on one (or own your own), you can access many normally paid articles.
https://www.uottawa.ca/library/ - Tools (laser cutter/3D printer, telescope, electricity usage reader)
Bring your DIY projects to life with tools available through your local library. Borrow a laser cutter or 3D printer for your next creative endeavour, or learn more about your energy consumption with an electricity usage reader. You can even borrow a telescope to explore the night sky!!
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/equipment/orion-starblast-ii-45-eq-reflector-telescope
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/makerbot-3d-printer
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S26C109411
- Local Events and Meetups
Connect with your community through local events and meetups hosted by your library. From author talks to crafting workshops, there’s something for everyone.
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/program - Grade School Study Resources
Give your child the extra support they need with Solaro, an online study resource available through the library. With interactive lessons and practice exams, they can improve their knowledge in math, science, and English.
https://www.solaro.com/ - Language Lessons Through Mango
Learn a new language with Mango, a language learning resource available through your local library. From French to Mandarin, Mango offers courses in over 70 languages.
https://mangolanguages.com/ - Seed Library for Gardeners
This one is a little more unconventional because you don’t borrow something using your library account, but your local area may have a seed library you can “borrow” from. My local one is supported by my local library.
Borrow and exchange seeds for free, and learn more about sustainable gardening practices.
https://justfood.ca/seed-saving-projects-and-events/the-ottawa-seed-library - Local Tool Library
Access a wide range of tools for your next DIY project through a tool library! From power tools to gardening equipment, borrow what you need without breaking the bank. This is such a creative way for communities to help each other. Tools are so expensive, so it helps if you can just rent them (for free!) if you only need something once or for one project.
https://ottawatoollibrary.com/ - Learning and Resources (ex. food literacy, local history)
Expand your knowledge with learning and resources available through your library. From food literacy to local history, this is a rich source of information for anyone.
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/services-by-subject - Kids Resources
Encourage a love of reading and learning in your child with resources available through the library. From storytime to STEM activities, there’s always something fun and educational happening. https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/kid-zone
Bonus: Other library catalogues
You may not always find what you’re looking for through your own local library, but you may be able to through other library catalogues. Especially if it comes to digital resources. Keep in mind though that you’ll likely need access to a library card from that locality in order to access the resources, so you may need to pull some strings with some friends 
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