You may have heard that the female occupant of the White House has a documentary…
Tuesday Recs, Jan 13th, 2026
Today’s recommendation is a simple one: use the library.
And I know I’m preaching to the choir here but I think it’s still something we all need to be reminded about now and again. I mean, I work at the library and yesterday I almost bought tickets for the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (we’re going this weekend to see the Winslow Homer watercolor exhibit) without using the library pass. And borrowing the pass saved me $20 each, going from $30 per ticket to $10. That’s more money for dinner out afterwards, friends.
Many libraries have not just museum passes but also a collection called the Library of Things. This can include everything from power tools to sewing machines to specialty cake pans. It’s worth checking with the library (or libraries) near you to see what’s available beyond the things we think of automatically like books and magazines.
Have you ever borrowed anything unusual from the library? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
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I find myself at our library usually at least once a week. I’m only borrowing books, but you are right – there is so much more. Our library has a lot of computers set up for folks to use. Often they have movies on Friday afternoons. There is a group who comes in to play mahjong another group who is learning to crochet. There are book clubs and of course toddler story hour. They’ve done wine tastings and restaurant samplings. It’s a wonderful community resource.
I’m going to the MFA on Friday to see the Homer exhibit! I have never really checked out anything unusual. But I helped my friend with sewing on a machine from one of our neighboring town’s library. I love the library of things idea. And we often used museum passes when the kids were young.
I have never heard of a library pass for museums. This is fantastic information. I shall explore this and what else we might have available. Thanks for spreading the library knowledge.
My library has author talks (I went to one recently on the Pittsburgh Steps, iykyk, and it was AWESOME!) it also provided resources for all of us needing with help, answers, and more for navigating all the parts of Medicare, this Wednesday – there is an Audubon Talk about winter birding (which I am also attending), there are LOTS of things for teens and children at my local library! There is a monthly book club for adults and one for teens as well! And another library also very near to me has social justice book club that I have participated in. And that library has an entire floor dedicated to Civil War history and there are monthly talks. My library has computers and if you need to print something – that is the spot. In March they have help for tax preparation and filing. Also… if you need help getting help (think medicaid, snap, LiHEAP, etc.) they have resources and people available. And!! In the summer my library has passes you can check out to visit our museums for free. Yes, the cost is nothing!
For me, the library is a necessary part of every community. (oh… and I bet your library has a newsletter you can sign up for so you don’t miss anything happening!)
When Ryan was living in Colorado we borrowed board games from the Poudre Valley Library many times. I still have a card there and still borrow digital books from them. I get a code from Mercer County library that’s good for a 24 hour subscription to the NYT. That saves me from paying for horrendous news. I like Kat’s suggestion about signing up for the library newsletter!
I am a regular library user! My local library has SO many resources – and they are so helpful ALL THE TIME. I haven’t really checked anything out from their Library of Things, but I’m always impressed with the depth of THINGS they have available. I’m equally impressed with all the stuff going on at the library — and how many people are there, taking part in the stuff. Libraries are awesome. Full. Stop.
From the above comments, it does seem like you are preaching to the choir, Carole, but it is a great reminder of all the things that libraries do for the community. My library has a very active class schedule for many things, a library of things, and the usual books, CDs, etc. I don’t know if they have passes available, I will look into that, thanks. The sad thing about the current state of the library is that the budget for buying books has been cut drastically the last couple of years. Hopefully it will get better soon.
Maybe when I’m retired I’ll spend more time at my library and not just borrowing things digitally! I’m sure my system has more to offer than just books. I’ve heard of a library (not near me) having jigsaw puzzles to borrow, which I think sounds like an amazing idea!
My mom always borrowed artwork from the library when we were poor — prints & sculptures. We had Degas’ Dancer on the piano many times! Always a favorite. I used to love borrowing albums. CDs never held any magic for me. 😉
I used our library passes for a discount to Mystic Seaport in CT a few years ago. I need to check out what they have again. I’m currently reading a book from there express book shelf which is books you can’t put on hold but they are 14 day borrow new books.
When I was a librarian at St. Louis Public Library, we loaned “memory boxes” out, especially to nursing homes. They were filled with pictures, music, magazine covers, hats in different styles, jewelry, etc. When items were passed around in small groups, I understand some of them really opened up particular memories to people often in a fog. It sounded like a lovely option for a caregiver!