LIBRARY CARDS ACCESS THE UNEXPECTED

September is Library Card Sign-up Month and libraries nationwide are joining together to remind parents, caregivers, and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning!

Chances are you already have a PPL Library card and use it regularly to grab the newest bestsellers, stock up on audiobooks for your daily commute, or pick up magazines or DVDs to enjoy on a leisurely day. However, in addition to all these great resources, you might not be aware of the array of other unique offerings you also have free access to. We asked PPL Staff to share some of their favorite perks that PPL library cardholders may not be aware of:

IT’S ALL IN THE CLOUD

Boy watches a video on his tablet while lounging on a couch. biblio+ icon is in the bottom right corner.

Browse CloudLibrary for the latest books and audiobooks and discover an array of additional digital resources including free access to unlimited movies, documentaries, and TV shows from biblio+, unlimited access to newspapers and magazines from NewsStand, and unlimited access to comic books from Comics Plus!

Enjoy unlimited access to an ad-free catalog of films and TV available on mobile phones or tablets, content can be streamed, mirrored, or cast to a compatible TV.


SEE GIGANTIC TROLLS, VIEW PRICELESS ART, HIKE  STUNNING TRAILS 

Young boy stands in front of a large troll sculpture made of reclaimed wood. This troll has a beard made of sticks and is named Birk.

Your library card gives you a free pass to local adventures right in your community and beyond! Visit museums, parks, and cultural sites including the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Portland Museum of Art,  Maine State Parks, and Portland Stage, among others. To explore and discover something new, find out how to access these passes with your library card here.

“I loved the troll with the crazy beard, Birk, one of the 5 trolls I saw!” – Abbott, age 10


GET TEENS ROAD-READY

For teens ready for driver’s ed, our Teen Library recommends using your library card to access complete DMV practice tests and helpful guides including easy-to-follow directions for obtaining a Maine Driver’s License & Permit FAQs. This resource also includes information for motorcyclists and those seeking commercial vehicle licenses, all free and accessible with your library card.


CONNECT, RESEARCH, GROW 

Did you know Wifi hotspots are about the size of a deck of cards and can link up to ten devices to the internet and are simple to use? Your household can check one out with a library card. This is an excellent resource if you plan on being in an area where access to WiFi is limited or unavailable.

ConsumerReports.org is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services providing overviews, ratings, and recommendations. If you value your time and how you spend your money, this is the best way to quickly research products before you purchase them, but you’ll need your library card to access it!

For entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small businesses, your library card serves as a powerful tool to access valuable information that supports and informs your work. Reference Solutions is a business and consumer research database that offers business and residential listings useful in searching for people, researching business executives, creating marketing plans, conducting competitive analysis, fundraising and more.

This is only a sampling of perks your PPL library card gives you access to. Not sure if PPL offers a specific resource? Ask A Librarian. Do you have a favorite resource at the Library or a unique story about your Library Card experience? Please share, we’d love to hear from you …and if you know someone that does not have a PPL library card, bring them by any branch and we’ll sign them up!

A library card holder holds their card in front of a computer screen displaying the "Digital Library" page on PPL's website.

posted: , by Heather Wasklewicz
tags: Adults | Teens | Teen Reads | Teen Events | Teen Health | College & Career | Homework Help | Parents & Teachers | Kids Programs | Early Literacy | Kids Reading Lists | Fun & Games | Discover Portland | Seniors | Art & Culture | Business | Careers & Jobs | Government | Immigration | Health Resources | Health Outreach Specialist | English Language Literacy | Readers Writers

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