Libraries!

Libraries are amazing. Support your local library! Go to it, see what resources, events, and neat things they have! I had a local library that had small recording pods - which was great! They were soundproof, semi-private and free to use. The same library had a seed library [literally, you could just go home with seeds and grow flowers or your own food]. Libraries have reading hours, kids programming, crafts nights, game nights, how-to’s, plus all the information you could even need. They’re also under constant attack and threat of being defunded. Libraries are a battle ground for banned books, and when we ban books we limit our access to learning other stories and curtail empathy. So use your local library! AND ALSO, here are libraries you can use with Libby app https://libbyapp.com/interview/welcome#do-you-have-a-card to access electronic resources [books, magazines, and audiobooks]. In addition to your local library, here are library cards that are available for free to many [some restrictions apply] Queer Liberation Library https://www.queerliberationlibrary.org/ Submit an application, and they’ll send you the deets for their library card. Queer focused, great fiction/non-fiction selections. I’ve found I need to re-validate my card when I borrow a book, but that’s easy enough to do Read Freely from the Las Angelos Library https://www.lapl.org/library-card/read-freely 13 yo+ Banned books for anyone over the age of 13. When looking for it on Libby, type in “read freely;” if you type in LA’s system, the card they email you won’t work. For the YOOTS! Brooklyn Public Library National Teen Card https://www.bklynlibrary.org/card/teens.php Anyone in the US aged 13-21 can fill out an application to access Brooklyn Public Library’s entire collection. This is amazing and *chef’s kiss* Boston Public Library Books Unbanned https://www.bpl.org/books-unbanned/ Anyone in the US ages 13-26 can fill out an application and access eBooks and audiobooks from Boston Public Library [!!!!!] Seattle Public Library Books Unbanned https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/teens/books-unbanned Anyone in the US ages 13-26 can fill out an application and access eBooks and audiobooks from the Seattle Public Library San Diego Public Library Books Unbanned https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/booksunbanned Anyone in the US ages 13-26 can fill out an application and access eBooks and audiobooks from the San Diego Public Library

This library card is from the Phoenix Public Library system circa 2002 and lives in my wallet because of whimsy

This card was in it’s third decade when it was [forcibly] retired for Boston Public Library