d DOG EARED
Check It Out
From loaner laptops to free language classes, there’ s a lot more to your local library than just books.
BY ELIN WOODS
This issue, I’ m switching things up a bit. Instead of offering book recommendations, I’ m going to, as a very biased professional librarian, share some of the many benefits of visiting your local library, beyond 3. Checking out more than just books. The digital divide is just the stacks upon stacks of wonderful things to read. Below real, and not everyone has access to technology. The library are five of my favorite things about libraries. Hopefully, they’ ll tries to combat this by lending various forms of tech to its convince you to become a new or more active user of your patrons, including Chromebooks, hot spots, and educational branch of the six libraries that make up Northwest Georgia’ s tools for kids. The folks behind the library desk can often also
Sara Hightower Regional Library System( SHRLS). be helpful with your own tech, all while purposely trying to
11. Books for everyone. It goes without saying that libraries avoid intimidating technical terms that might be above some are full of books— both physical and digital— that will appeal people’ s heads. Some libraries even give you access to things to folks of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. If you can like sewing machines and 3-D printers, either for free or a dream it, the library can help you find it, whether it’ s classic small fee. Many of them, including the SHRLS branches, offer comic books or the latest spy thriller. However, one of the copying, faxing, laminating, and printing services as well. coolest aspects of libraries is that when they say that“ books 4. Access to the latest movies and TV shows. Don’ t want to pay are for everyone,” they truly mean it, because in Georgia, that for another streaming subscription? Don’ t worry, the library includes access to the Georgia Library Service( GLS) for the has you covered with plenty of media to check out, mostly
Blind and Print Disabled. If you, or someone you know, loves in the form of DVDs these days, although some libraries still to read but needs tools or access to books in the way that best have other options. Some libraries even have auditoriums or works for them, your local librarian can help. other spaces where they offer free movie screenings.
2. Fun programs and free goodies. Libraries, of course, have 5. Valuable online and e-resources. Free resources are things like book clubs and reading challenges, but they’ ve another valuable library offering, because, like streaming also got some creative programming up their sleeves. At services, they often come with subscription costs that you’ d
SHRLS branches, you’ ll find needlework and crochet programs otherwise have to pay. SHRLS branches, for example, have
( to name just a few of the crafty options), a fitness class for ABCmouse, an online learning program for kids; the library seniors, and a multitude of cool-sounding programs for edition of Ancestry. com; Kanopy, which is home to movies children and teens. You can also get passes for free admission and documentaries you can stream from wherever you want to to places like the Alliance Theatre, Center for Puppetry Arts, watch; and Mango Languages, a platform that lets you learn
Chattahoochee Nature Center, and Georgia’ s state parks and more than 70 different languages. historic sites.
That’ s just the tip of the iceberg, though. I could create an even longer list of reasons to love the library, and even then, I’ d likely have left something out. Libraries are more than just book repositories; they’ re often the heart of the community and a place where everyone is welcome. This year, make it one of your resolutions to explore all of your library’ s offerings and support it however you can. As long as you’ re a resident, a library card is free, so why not take full advantage of it?
Sara Hightower Regional Library System
Consists of branches in Cave Spring, Cedartown, Rockmart, Rome, Summerville, and Trion. For more information, visit shrls. org.
8 | NW GEORGIA LIVING JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2026
Elin Woods is a librarian from the mountains of western Pennsylvania. When she ' s not busy reading, she enjoys baking historical treats and exploring the East Coast. She balances her mostly nonfiction history reading with the occasional modern romance novel and plenty of cookbooks.