Checkout Your Local Library

Okay. We’ve talked about having a renewed (or ongoing) interest in history, gone over what history is, and talked about over who a historian is. Great. At this point, you may be thinking, “History is just a hobby for me. I don’t care about being a historian, I just want some info on where to find some history related info I don’t have to pay for.”

At this point, a lot of us would turn to the Internet. YouTube is a smorgasbord of information. A Google search can take you anywhere and help you find anything. Podcasts abound. Access is unlimited until you run into a paywall.

But what do you do with all of this information? What if you can’t quite hit on the right search term to find what you are looking for? Maybe you’re just in the mood for a new book.

Maybe instead of going worldwide, start somewhere a little more local. Like your local public library.

Wait…those are still a thing? I thought we banned all their books.

Nope, not yet. And they can be a good place to find all sorts of resources, not just books and magazines.

Remembering School Libraries

A lot of us probably remember our school libraries as being a place where you felt like you were under constant threat of being shushed. It’s a bit of a stereotype, but like most stereotypes, there is a hint of truth to it. Libraries, and school libraries in particular, are a place of study after all.

Remembering that You Graduated and Public Libraries are a Thing

But public libraries are more than that. Depending on your area, some libraries are also a stand-in for community centers. Computers which can be used for job searches, career development, and online learning are also available.

Audio books and e-books are also available. You may have to option to stream movies or music. You can even do genealogical research.

When You Get to the Library

If you aren’t interested in getting a library card, that’s okay. Just walk in, say hi to whoever is at the desk, and just start browsing. Libraries aren’t just for books; they are for learning. You can spend as much time as you want reading and doing research with the books available at that library. And you and your family may be able to take advantage of hands on and interactive activities for children, and attend events hosted by the library.

I Can’t Find What I Want

You don’t have to just walk by the desk. You can ask the librarians questions. They can help you narrow down you search for a topic or specific book. Librarians can also help you find scholarly journals and periodicals and newspaper archives if you want to research a particular topic. The best part is you may be able to access some of these scholarly sources for free, whereas you might have to pay for access on the Internet.

Library Cards are Pretty Handy

Generally, you need to have a library card to check out books and use computers. Luckily, library cards are free. You can google your local library and check their website to see what their requirements are to get a card.

If you aren’t sure what the name of your local library is, try doing a search on your town/city’s name and library. For example, if you live in Akron, Ohio, your search terms would be “akron public library”.

Usually all that is required to get a library card is a photo ID and/or a document with your address on it.

Many libraries also have a loan program between branches, as well as national and international libraries. So if the book you want isn’t available at your branch, they can “order” it for you, and you can check it out once it comes in.

Times Change

Also, good news. The Dewey decimal system is way less common. Card catalogs are primarily a thing of the past. And libraries have caught on that we are terrible at re-shelving books, so you will find a cart at the end of the row where you can put back books you are done with.

Many libraries have done away with overdue fees. That being said, you should still make the effort to return a book you have finished, or don’t plan to finish, in a timely fashion. Someone else may be waiting on it. Libraries frequently have book drops available, so you can return a book at any time of day.

In Closing

The Internet makes it possible to find enormous amounts of information online. But sometimes you just want to hold a book in your hands. Or maybe you want someone to help you find new (to you) sources. Your local library can be a great starting point.

On Sources

I chose not to add links directly to any library websites in the main body of this post. There will be variation between what is offered in libraries in different areas (and different levels of funding). I used the Anne Arundel County Public Library (located in Maryland), Houston Public Library (located in Texas), and San Diego Library (located in California) websites to find the information used throughout this post.

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