Nathan Fennel - Developer, Creator, Explorer

I'd like to talk about how libraries have way more services than people might expect them to have.

Sure, there are books, and you might be familiar with them having movies and audiobooks. Some people are familiar with them having systems in place (like Libby and Overdrive) for checking out audiobooks and e-books. But there's so much more beyond that.

Maker Spaces: Create Anything

Several libraries in my area have full maker spaces that are staffed and can help you make things.

3D Printing: I've 3D printed parts that I've needed and otherwise would have paid an online service for.
Stickers & Vinyl: I've made stickers of my kids' faces to put on some of the things that I keep forgetting whose is whose. There are iron-on transfers that I've done before to label my kids' winter gear. I don't want to have to buy a specific tool just for that!
Woodshop & Recording: The library I went to this week has not only a makerspace, but a full woodshop, a gaming room for teens, and a recording studio.

Professional Services for Pennies

How many times have we all gone to FedEx to print out papers because we don't have the exact printer for a specific format?

Libraries charge next to nothing for using their printers. The one closest to me charges $0.01 per page to print and gives each library card $3.00 in credit each month. You can also print directly from your phone!

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the library to take passport photos for everyone in my family. There was a seamless white backdrop, a DSLR, and one of the volunteers at the library even took the pictures for us. It was amazing, fun, and so much better than taking passport photos in the back of a Wal-Mart with a point-and-shoot where we pay $50 and have to look at terrible pictures for the next 5 years.

The "Library of Things"

Then there's the "Library of Things" that many libraries and library networks have.

Telescopes: I checked out a telescope to look at the stars on the night of a new moon with my kids and then checked it out again two weeks later to look at the full moon.
Movie Nights: Next week I'm checking out a projector so we can do movie nights at home for a week with a giant screen.
Connectivity: Every library of things in the state of Colorado has "MiFi" wireless wifi devices so you can have internet access on the go. This is a lifesaver while traveling.
And More: You can check out a microscope, an American Girl doll, even a radon detection kit!

For the Kids

There are physical books for kids that come with an audio player built-in, which is perfect for my kids that are just a little too young to read on their own.

There are also tablets that are preloaded with themed activities for kids that don't require the internet and are designed for kids of different ages.

Book a Librarian

One of my favorite surprising things is that you can "Book a Librarian." You can ask all of the questions you want to know about how to better use the library and the library network.

So, if you don't know where to start, just ask the librarian. Many have master's degrees and are very overqualified for most questions, but are so in love with libraries they are excited to help patrons or anyone who walks through their doors.

Check Out Your Local Library

Libraries are a huge asset to their community and are underappreciated. If you haven't checked out your local library in a while (or ever), then it might be time to stop on by and learn something new.

For those near me in Colorado, here are some of the amazing libraries I visit:

Erie Community Library (High Plains Library District)
Lafayette Public Library
Louisville Public Library
Longmont Public Library
LINC Library Innovation Center (Greeley)