50 Things To Do at the Library: A Complete 2026 Guide

Category 1: Learning (Activities 1-10)

1. Take free online courses via LinkedIn Learning or Udemy — your library card unlocks 10,000-16,000 professional courses free of charge. See our library apps guide for setup.
2. Attend a language class — many US and UK libraries run free weekly ESL, Spanish, French, Mandarin, or Arabic classes taught by librarians or community volunteers.
3. Access Mango Languages, Transparent, or Rosetta Stone — self-paced learning in 70+ languages, free through library.
4. Get free tutoring via Tutor.com or Brainfuse HelpNow — live homework help for K-12 and college students.
5. Join a coding class — libraries from NYPL to Kansas City run Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and Scratch workshops. See our library coding classes guide.
6. Study for a standardized exam — LearningExpress Library, JobNow, or Brainfuse provide free SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, Praxis, CPA, and Bar prep. Details in our exam prep guide.
7. Attend an author talk or book signing — most central libraries host 10-40 author events per year. Harold Washington (Chicago), NYPL Stephen A. Schwarzman, and the British Library are especially active.
8. Participate in a lecture series — on history, science, politics, and the arts, hosted by local universities in partnership with libraries.
9. Research your genealogy — Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest are free at the library. Many libraries have dedicated genealogy rooms with microfilm collections.
10. Use academic databases — JSTOR, EBSCO Academic Search, ProQuest Historical Newspapers — worth thousands a year, free with a library card.

Category 2: Social (Activities 11-18)

11. Join a book club — virtually every library runs 3-10 monthly clubs for fiction, nonfiction, mystery, sci-fi, business, and young adult genres.
12. Attend a movie screening — libraries show public-performance-licensed films every week, often free with popcorn.
13. Go to a trivia night or game night — adult programming has exploded since 2020; many libraries host weekly trivia.
14. Attend a lecture or panel discussion — local current affairs, scientific research updates, election debates.
15. Join a writing group or poetry circle — libraries are traditional hosts for NaNoWriMo events and local critique groups.
16. Participate in a language conversation meetup — practice Spanish, French, or ASL in a supportive setting.
17. Attend cultural heritage celebrations — Black History Month, Pride, AAPI month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Diwali, Lunar New Year programming.
18. Volunteer at the library — shelving, tutoring, Friends of the Library, ESL mentoring. Great for resume building and civic engagement.

Category 3: Practical Services (Activities 19-28)

19. Get documents notarized — many libraries have on-staff notaries, free to the public.
20. Use free tax preparation services — VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and AARP Tax-Aide volunteers staff libraries Jan-April for free tax prep.
21. Register to vote — libraries often serve as voter registration sites and early voting locations.
22. Take a citizenship or immigration class — free naturalization classes at many US libraries; UK libraries run Life in the UK prep.
23. Get resume and cover letter help — JobNow and in-library coaches provide free resume reviews.
24. Apply for unemployment, Medicaid, SNAP — librarians help navigate government websites.
25. Use a passport application service — hundreds of US libraries are designated Passport Acceptance Facilities.
26. Fax, print, scan, and copy documents — cheaper than Staples or UPS.
27. Charge your phone or laptop — every table has outlets; study rooms include power strips.
28. Access free library Wi-Fi or borrow a hotspot — save on home internet if budget is tight.

Category 4: Creative Pursuits (Activities 29-37)

29. Record podcasts or music in the library recording studio — Boston Public Library, Brooklyn Public, Hennepin County, and dozens of others offer free studio time.
30. Shoot and edit video — green-screen rooms, DSLR cameras, and Adobe Premiere computers at maker hubs.
31. 3D print a custom object — see our library 3D printing & makerspaces directory.
32. Laser-cut wood or acrylic — at library Glowforge and Epilog stations.
33. Sew or embroider — dozens of libraries lend sewing, embroidery, and quilting machines.
34. Take a painting, drawing, or printmaking class — Creativebug via library provides 1,000+ free art videos.
35. Attend a creative writing workshop — poetry, short story, memoir, screenwriting led by published local authors.
36. Paint with kids in a community art room — Libraries like DC PL run open studio hours for families.
37. Borrow a musical instrument — guitars, ukuleles, keyboards, and even violins lend out at Sacramento PL’s Library of Things.

Category 5: Free Entertainment (Activities 38-44)

38. Stream free movies via Kanopy or Hoopla — indie films, Criterion Collection, PBS, Great Courses lectures.
39. Borrow DVDs or Blu-rays — most libraries still have big physical film collections; new releases usually within 30 days of commercial.
40. Play board games — libraries lend Scrabble, Catan, Ticket to Ride, chess sets, and more for on-site or home use.
41. Attend a gaming night — video game tournaments (Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart) and tabletop game sessions.
42. Read magazines and newspapers for free — on paper or via PressReader, all major titles.
43. Browse the graphic-novel collection — most systems have grown their manga and comics sections dramatically since 2020.
44. Borrow an audiobook for your commute via Libby or cloudLibrary.

Category 6: Family & Kids Activities (45-50)

45. Attend storytime — every US and UK public library offers 3-10 storytimes weekly for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
46. Enroll in a summer reading program — earn prizes for reading books, June-August.
47. Take kids to STEAM programs — Lego Club, coding for kids, nature programs, science experiments.
48. Drop teens at homework help or teen hangouts — Chicago YOUmedia and NYPL TeenCentral are nationally recognized.
49. Borrow educational toys, puppets, and "libraries of things" — telescopes, bird-watching kits, cooking gadgets.
50. Attend a family movie night — popular Friday- or Saturday-evening programming with popcorn.

How to Find What is Happening at Your Library This Week

1. Visit your library’s website — almost every library publishes a calendar of events under "Events," "Programs," or "What’s On." Filter by age group, category (creative, learning, family) and branch location.
2. Sign up for a newsletter — weekly emails highlight upcoming author talks, gaming nights, story times, and special exhibits. Most libraries also post on Instagram and TikTok.
3. Browse the printed flyer rack — in-branch flyers often list neighborhood-specific programs (ESL classes, tutoring, citizenship workshops) that do not always make the website.
4. Ask a librarian — staff know exactly which programs match your interests. The reference desk is the original recommendation engine.
5. Use Eventbrite or Meetup — many library partners post here too, especially community-driven book clubs and writing groups.
6. Check the library’s app or BiblioCommons account — events tab usually mirrors the website.

The True Dollar Value of a Library Card

According to a 2025 American Library Association "Library Value Calculator" survey, the average active US library cardholder receives $2,000-$5,000 per year in services they would otherwise pay for. Sample tally:

• 2 ebooks/month from Libby ($15 each) = $360/yr
• 1 audiobook/month from Hoopla or Libby ($25 each) = $300/yr
• 2 streaming films/month from Kanopy ($12 each) = $288/yr
• The New York Times subscription via PressReader = $295/yr
• The Economist via PressReader = $239/yr
• LinkedIn Learning subscription = $240/yr
• Consumer Reports = $39/yr
• Mango Languages = $79/yr
• Ancestry Library Edition = $379/yr
• Morningstar Premium = $249/yr
• 3D printing 5 small projects = $50/yr saved
• Wi-Fi hotspot lend of 6 months = $360/yr saved
• Free notary, tax help, passport service = $250/yr saved

Total annual value: $3,128 minimum. A heavy user can easily reach $7,000+ in value. The cost: $0.

Things to Do at the Library When You Are Traveling

Public libraries make excellent free stops on a road trip or city visit. Most allow visitors to use Wi-Fi, restrooms, and reading rooms without a local card. Famous tourist-friendly libraries include:

• New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman Building — Rose Reading Room, free public tours daily.
• Boston Public Library Copley — Bates Hall, McKim courtyard, free art tours.
• Library of Congress, Washington DC — Thomas Jefferson Building, public tours.
• Seattle Central Library — Rem Koolhaas architecture, free self-guided tours.
• British Library, London — permanent Treasures gallery is free.
• Trinity College Library, Dublin — Long Room and Book of Kells exhibit.
• Bibliotheque nationale de France — Site Richelieu, Mazarin Gallery.
• State Library of Victoria, Melbourne — La Trobe Reading Room.

Frequently Asked Questions