By Katherine Decker, Head of Circulation
September is National Library Card Sign Up Month and this year’s theme is “a library card hits all the right notes.” This is a good reminder that libraries offer something for everyone. Whether you are a long term library patron, or someone looking to become a library patron, Lynnfield Library has something for you.
Often when people think about libraries they think about books. The Lynnfield Public Library has many books, but the shelves also contain other materials to borrow. We have movies, TV series, documentaries, exercise DVDs, music CDs, magazines and audiobooks. There are language-learning tools, graphic novels, video games, memory kits, children’s adventure kits, and much more. Patrons can borrow all these materials and similar materials from other libraries with the help of a library card. The Library is more than just shelves, however, so it is important to look beyond the book and explore what your library can do for you.
Let’s start by looking beyond the physical books and audiobooks and look at available electronic content. Libby gives you access to thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks. Materials are available for download on various devices including computers, Smartphones, eReaders such as the Kindle or Nook, and tablets including iPads.
Hoopla is a digital media service, offering access to movies, tv shows, music albums, eAudiobooks, eBooks and comics/graphic novels. There are no hold lists, and anyone with a Lynnfield Library card may borrow up to 6 titles per month which may be viewed on your computer, smartphone or tablet. Plus there is no worrying about overdues since titles are automatically returned and removed from your device at the end of the lending period.
Kanopy is a video streaming service that gives patrons instant access to over 30,000 films and television series.
The Library also offers access to many specialized digital resources that can be accessed remotely 24/7 from your home, school, or office. Search for articles in Gale or Ebsco databases, look at product reviews on Consumer Reports, learn a new skill with DigitalLearn, or peruse Magill’s Medical Encyclopedia. All these databases and more are available for use by library card holders. If you come to the Library, you can also use Ancestry.com, but that’s only available in the Library itself so unfortunately you can’t get that at home.
Through the generosity of the Friends of the Lynnfield Library, we are able to offer passes for discounted or free admission to several local museums and attractions. Our Museum Pass Program includes passes to the Boston Children’s Museum, House of Seven Gables, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Peabody Essex Museum and Zoo New England. In FY26, there were a total of 624 passes checked out to patrons, which saved Lynnfield residents an estimated $15,000.
Perhaps you have a vacation coming up and are looking for a way to make a long drive easier. Hotspots are available for checkout with your library card. They provide a wireless internet access point to WiFi-enabled devices such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, etc. If you have a signal, you can use a hotspot.
Don’t have a library card? No problem! Stop by the Library’s Circulation Desk with a photo ID and proof of your address and fill out an application. A driver’s license with a current address can be used for both, otherwise bring an ID and a piece of mail. Want to save a little bit of time? Download an application from our website and bring that into the Library.
Perhaps you have an account but can’t find your card. Stop by the Library with an ID and we can replace it for free. Tired of carrying many cards around, but have a smartphone? Download the free NOBLE App to have access to your checked out items, holds, and a digital copy of your card. You can search the catalog and place holds straight from your phone at any hour of the day. This is also a good time to check on the health of your library account and make sure you are good to go for the fall. Have you recently changed your phone number or email address? Perhaps your kids have a new babysitter that you would like to authorize to use your account. Stop by or call us to make sure we have all your up to date information. Maybe you had a busy summer full of travel and you’re missing an item or two. Check around your house or car to check for any missing items. Returning outstanding items will help clean up any old bills you may have accumulated.
This September, B Sharp, come on in and discover how a library card can hit all the right notes.