So you’re trying to save money because living in the Keys isn’t cheap. And it’s what passes for an off season around here. But you’re not a big reader so maybe you think the public library isn’t for you. Good news: The Monroe County Public Library has got a lot more to offer and it’s available to you — FOR FREE — with a Monroe County Public Library card.
Are you cutting back on streaming services? Consider adding the Kanopy app. Its 30,000 films and television shows include the Criterion Collection and art documentaries but it’s not all high-end stuff. “Hoarders” is on there. And while you’re limited to 12 plays a month with your library card, you get unlimited plays from the extensive collection of Kanopy Kids content. When you need to park the kids in front of something fun while you get stuff done, this is a lifesaver.
Taking a trip and want to learn a new language? Or do you know someone who’s learning English? Through the Mango app, you can access 70 different language courses. This includes almost anything you’d need to prepare for a trip – as well as English as a second language with courses tailored to the language you already speak (like Spanish, Kreyol, or Russian). Once you set up your Mango account, you can add up to five other people and they don’t have to have library cards.
Need a simple legal form but don’t have the money for a lawyer or know where to start? Check out Law Depot. You can make a will, business agreement, lease, medical directive, power of attorney and lots more. The site provides step-by-step guidance so you won’t be navigating this on your own, or you’ll know when you do need to get expert help.
Want to brush up on some professional skills or just learn something new for fun? LinkedIn Learning delivers more than 16,000 courses you can take at your own pace and convenience. This includes business, technology and creative endeavors. Learn time management, brush up your software skills (including certifications) or explore graphic design, photography, music, writing and lots more.
Do you like reading the New York Times but hate running into the paywall? If you’re at the library on our wifi, you get free access. You can also activate 24 hours of digital access from home, using your library card. And you can read lots of publications – like National Geographic, the Atlantic and the Washington Post – through the Florida Electronic Library.
Want to do some research into your family history, but can’t afford a subscription service? We have library editions of Ancestry.com and FamilySearch that you can use when you’re at the library on our wifi.
Need to use a computer or print something out? If you don’t have a laptop (or don’t have it with you), you can borrow one to use in the library for up to two hours. And printing here is 10 cents a page, including color printing. You can also print from any device, including your phone. You can even send a print job from home, then come to the library and get it. These tech and printing services, by the way, don’t require a library card.
If you’re sending a lot of money Amazon’s way to pay for e-books or Audible, you should definitely check out Libby. That’s the easy-to-use app where you can get our extensive collection of digital books and audiobooks. We have almost 20,000 titles including bestsellers and backlists, almost any genre you can think of, for kids, young adults and adults.
Wondering how to get a library card? Stop by your local branch. We are in Key West, Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo. Cards are available to all Monroe County residents and property owners and anyone with a military ID. If you want to get going with our online offerings right away, you can sign up online – you just need to come to the library within three months to verify your card.
All this information, and more, is available on our website, keyslibraries.org. If you have any questions, you can call any of our branches or email info@keyslibraries.org.
And if you ARE looking for a physical book (or a DVD), we are here for you! We’re even here when our doors are closed. You can request a book from any branch and we’ll send it to the one closest to you. You can also get your books and DVDs after hours from our pickup lockers at the Key Largo and Marathon branches and at Bernstein Park on Stock Island. Speaking of Bernstein Park, it’s home to one of our two Lending Machines, where you can choose from the books and DVDs that are in the machine (kind of like an Automat for the library). The other Lending Machine is at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo.
Every branch of the Monroe County Public Library has a lot going on. To find out more, follow any branch on social media. You can also sign up for our new monthly email newsletters at our website.
— Contributed by Nan Klingener, community affairs manager for Monroe County Public Library
