When you think about using your library card, it's natural to think about what you can check out by coming into the library – books, magazines, video games, and more. But your library card also grants you access to digital tools and collections that can take the library on the go or replace some paid services you might use.
Here are eight of our favorite additional free things you can do with your library card:
Download eBooks
Using OverDrive, Libby, or cloudLibrary, you can get instant access to a wide selection of ebooks. These popular collections feature fiction and nonfiction for teens and adults.
Check out audiobooks and magazines
RBdigital offers instant access to audiobooks and over 200 popular magazines. Download single issues, or subscribe for free to get notified when new issues arrive. And digital magazines never have a due date!
Attend arts and cultural events
Reserve free or discounted admission to a range of arts and cultural experiences in the Twin Cities area using smARTpass. Partners include the Minnesota Children's Museum, Park Square Theater, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and more.
Access online tutoring
Homework HelpNow offers free online tutoring services for kids, teens, and adults between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. each day. Students can also submit papers for review by a writing expert, and build skills through an online library of lessons, videos, tests, and more.
Learn a language
In Transparent Language, learn a new language through interactive, self-paced lessons. There are over 70 languages to study including Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Ojibew, Polish, and more.
Get resume help
Using JobNow, get live job coaching, resume writing help, and more from experts and online job resources. Submit your resume for review, get live job interview coaching, complete career assessments, and more. Assistance is available from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Find your ancestors
Research your family history using Ancestry.com Library Edition. This Includes digitized images of the U.S. Census, passenger and immigration lists, genealogical indexes, and much more. Ancestry Library Edition can only be accessed on library workstations.
Prepare for tests
With LearningExpress Library, take online practice tests, view tutorials, and find resources for school and career exams. Popular tests include the ACT, AP, GED, Nursing, Real Estate, TOEFL, and U.S. Citizenship.