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Library resources megathread
Since we had a number of threads on Library resources, I figured we should have a place to consolidate them. If you find something of note, add it to the thread!
This will probably be rather US centric, but if something works in your neck of the woods, let us know.
https://libgen.im/ is one :)
Just because the game of domain whack-a-mole is eternal, sites like https://open-slum.org/ can be helpful to find the latest active copies of all these shadow libraries.
Huh, I've just been using Wikipedia for the latest links
https://media1.tenor.com/m/DwnzlxHnrWAAAAAd/i-guess-arms-up.gif
/noise
This is very library specific, but the major library near me has free passes you can check out for various local museums, theatres, and botanical gardens.
My local libraries offer the same.
Also library-specific, but in my neck of the woods, many libraries have stepped into the maker-space and offer free access to machines like 3D printers, button presses, and lazer engravers. Some also offer certain take-home tools, like energy meters and even kitchenware!
No digital library is going to beat a local one for ease of access to physical assets. Ask what you can do there or borrow, if they have agreements or partnerships with other libraries, and if they have a library of things. If it's been a minute since you've been, it might be a good time to check it out.
Books Unbanned
A program designed for young readers to get them access to banned and other digital materials. Libraries use Libby unless stated otherwise.
U.S. residents ages 13–21
https://bklynlibrary.org/card/teens.php
U.S. residents ages 13–26
https://bpl.org/books-unbanned
CA residents ages 13–18
https://lacountylibrary.org/books-unbanned
U.S. residents ages 13–26
https://sandiego.gov/public-library/booksunbanned
U.S. residents ages 13–26
https://spl.org/programs-and-services/teens/books-unbanned
U.S. residents ages 13–19
https://longbeach.gov/library/borrow/books-unbanned
I recently discovered that Mango Languages gives free subscriptions with most library memberships. In my opinion it's closer to actual classroom lessons than something like DuoLingo, and I think that works better for my learning style.
Free Non Residential Library Cards (Cloud Library)
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach
https://www.wpb.org/Departments/Mandel-Public-Library-of-West-Palm-Beach/Browse-Borrow/Get-a-Library-Card
Altadena Library District
https://www.altadenalibrary.org/borrowing
Both of these libraries don't seem to gate based on residence as I was able to apply to with my home address outside of both of those states and they gave me digital cards. Their services are through Cloud Library, but the cards are good for Hoopla (8 borrows EACH), and 30 Kanopy credits for WPB as well.
My best advice is to really dig into what your local library services are. Go look at the whole website, talk to a librarian, whatever works for you. Speaking of librarians, there is no substitute when it comes to research help. They’re passionate about helping you find what you’re looking for.
Things my area libraries provide to me:
Unexpected
- NARCAN vending machines - Library social worker - Test proctoring for free - They have an art gallery anyone local can submit to - Full access to other libraries throughout the stateFree online access I can use at home
- National newspapers, both current and historical - Consumer Reports - O’Reilly online (technical books) - Investment research - LinkedIn learning - Mango languages - Computer usage training - Pro literacy education network (adult literacy, and ESL resources - the library website is available in 12 languages other than English ) - Genealogy research - Encyclopedia Britannica (yes, it still exists) - Webster online - Historical newspapers - Resources for academic papers, literature, entrepreneurship, medical journals, and general research papers - Independent chemical product testing - Tutor.com and several other tutoring resources - ProQuest medical journals - Local newspaper access - State occupational information and statistics - DIY vehicle maintenance videos and tutorials - Movies - TV Shows - Comic books / graphic novels / mangaPhysical stuff to check out
- Mobile hotspots - Museum passes - Aquarium passes - Zoo passes - State park passes - Botanical garden passes - Video games - DVDsEquipment to use in the library
- VHS to digital converters - Heavy duty sewing machines - Embroidery machines - Sergers - Cricut machines - Laser Engravers - 3d printers - 3d doodle pens - Arduinos - Conductive play dough for learning electronics - Snap together circuits - Electronics kits - Robotics kits, including LEGOSpecial Interest:
These libraries are set up across the US intended to service a particular function and point of interest but are open to all residents unless stated. All listed libraries use Libby.
Read Freely
US Residents 13 and Up
https://www.lapl.org/library-card/read-freely
Queer Liberation Library
https://www.queerliberationlibrary.org/members
Japan Foundation
https://www.jflalc.org/libby
Department of Defense Library
Active duty, reserves, guard, retired military, and eligible family members
https://www.dodmwrlibraries.org/
Minnesota Toy Library - basically Minneapolis but other toy libraries exist, though this one has permanent physical locations.
MN Tool Library - Minneapolis/St Paul, but again these ideas exist elsewhere
Baby Wearing Twin Cities - is a group that holds classes about properly using baby carriers. I mention it because they have a huge collection of different baby carriers that they lend out for a month at a time. Great for finding one you actually like before you go a long time with the first one you just happened to buy.
Also, for twin cities folks (and probably broadly applicable): the metro area library systems will link to your one library card, so you can check out books (and return) from any of the systems. Books don’t need to be returned to the same system. The accounts are separate, but use the same card, so the book limits are specific to each system.
And, at Hennepin county libraries, the book checkout scanners use RFID tags, not the barcodes. So don’t worry about carefully lining up the barcode to the laser one at a time. You can scan 10 books at once in a stack just moving them across the bed. I checkout ~30 children’s books on a visit and can just put them in my tote and wiggle it back and forth at the scanner. I just count how many I have before scanning and make sure that many are scanned.
The catalogs are different at each library, and there doesn’t seem to be much rotation. Get away from your normal library, go further afield and you’ll more quickly find good books rather than seeing the same old stuff. Hennepin county also has a passport program — get a booklet and get a stamp at each of the 41 libraries in the county. Get a button as a reward (along with a slight bump in smugness but also a big dip in street cred).