Free Things You Can Learn Through Your Library
With a free library card you can learn far more than you can borrow in print: languages through apps like Mango, video courses through services such as LinkedIn Learning, ebooks and audiobooks on Libby or Hoopla, documentaries and lectures on Kanopy, plus in-person classes, tech help and tools you can borrow. The free things you can learn at the library depend on your library system, so the first step is a ten-minute look at its “eResources” or “digital library” page.
Most adults have not looked at what their library offers in years. This guide covers what is commonly available, how to find it, and how to turn it into a real learning plan rather than a pile of borrowed books.
What library learning means today
Public libraries in the US and many other countries have become learning centers that happen to lend books. Their budgets pay for subscriptions that would cost an individual a lot each year, and card holders get access for free, often from home.
That makes a library card one of the strongest tools for anyone who wants to teach themselves a new subject. The catch is that it is poorly advertised. Many services sit behind a page called “databases” or “research” that most people never click.
What you can typically get with a card
Offerings vary by library system, so treat this as a checklist of things to look for, not a guarantee.
| Type | Common services | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Ebooks and audiobooks | Libby (OverDrive), Hoopla, cloudLibrary | Reading on your phone, commute listening |
| Language learning | Mango Languages, Transparent Language, Pronunciator | Structured beginner and intermediate courses |
| Video courses | LinkedIn Learning, Gale Courses, Udemy for libraries | Software, business, creative and technical skills |
| Film and lectures | Kanopy, Hoopla | Documentaries, The Great Courses lectures, classic film |
| Magazines and news | Libby magazines, PressReader | Hobby magazines, international newspapers |
| Research databases | Encyclopedias, academic journals, consumer research | Reliable answers and deeper reading |
| In-person | Classes, talks, conversation groups, tech help | Feedback, community and practice |
| Things to borrow | Tools, instruments, telescopes, sewing machines, museum passes | Trying a hobby before buying gear |
Two of the most widely used apps are Libby for ebooks and audiobooks, and Kanopy for films and lecture series. Both work with a card from a participating library.
Common myths about library resources
- “It’s just books.” Many systems now spend a large share of their budget on digital services, classes and lending beyond print.
- “You have to go in.” Most digital services work at home. Some libraries even let you sign up for a card online.
- “The good stuff costs extra.” Card holders do not pay for included services. If something asks for payment, it is not the library’s version.
- “Waitlists make it useless.” Popular ebooks can have holds, but Hoopla-style services often lend instantly, and you can place holds on several titles so something is always arriving.
- “Libraries are for kids and retirees.” Adult programming, from job skills to coding clubs to book groups, is a core part of what libraries do.
How to get started today
- Get or renew your card. Check your library’s website; many offer online sign-up. Some states and regions let residents join several neighboring systems.
- Find the digital page. Look for “eLibrary”, “eResources”, “Databases” or “Online Learning”.
- List three services that match a goal. Not everything. Just what fits something you want to learn this season.
- Install one app. Libby is the usual starting point. Add your card, then borrow one book related to your goal.
- Check the events calendar. Look for one class, talk or conversation group in the next month.
- Ask a librarian. Say what you want to learn and ask what they have. Reference librarians are trained for exactly this, and it is free.
Ask about interlibrary loan. If your library does not own a book you need, it can often borrow it from another library for you, usually free or for a small fee. It is one of the most useful services hardly anyone uses.
Real-world examples
These are hypothetical plans, built only from services that many libraries offer.
Learning Spanish before a trip
Twenty minutes a day on a library language app, a beginner graded reader from Libby, a Spanish film on Kanopy at the weekend with subtitles, and a monthly conversation group at the branch if one exists. For a full plan, see our guide to learning a language as an adult.
Spreadsheet skills for work
A short Excel course on LinkedIn Learning through the library, one practice file a week built from your own data, and a book on data basics from the catalog. Many branches also run free computer classes.
Trying astronomy, photography or sewing
Some libraries lend telescopes, cameras or sewing machines along with guidebooks. Borrowing for two or three weeks is a cheap way to find out whether you enjoy a hobby before buying anything.
Getting back into reading
If reading has slipped, audiobooks on Libby during walks or chores, plus a library book club for gentle accountability, are an easy way back in. Our guide on how to get back into reading has more ideas.
Making library learning stick
The danger with free access is borrowing far more than you use. A few habits help:
- Borrow for one goal at a time, and return what you are not using.
- Put holds on next-step books so they arrive as you finish the current one.
- Pair every course with practice: a library video course on photography only works if you go out and shoot.
- Use due dates as deadlines. A 21-day loan is a natural three-week learning sprint.
- Combine library material with other free online courses if your library lacks a subject.
A sample three-week library sprint
Here is one way to use a standard three-week loan as a learning plan. Say your goal is to understand basic personal photography: exposure, composition and editing on your phone.
| Week | From the library | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One beginner photography book on Libby; one short video course module on composition | Three 20-minute photo walks, each focused on one rule |
| 2 | Next chapters; a documentary on a photographer from Kanopy at the weekend | Shoot the same scene at three times of day; compare |
| 3 | Editing chapter or video lesson; check the events calendar for a camera club or class | Edit your ten best shots; pick three to share with someone for feedback |
At the end, return everything and ask yourself one question: do you want another three weeks? If yes, place holds on the next-level book before you return the first. If not, you have lost nothing, and you know more about what you enjoy.
Questions to ask a librarian
- “What online learning services does my card include?”
- “Do you have anything for learning [subject] at a beginner level?”
- “Are there classes, clubs or talks for adults on this?”
- “Can you get this book through interlibrary loan?”
- “Do you lend any equipment for this hobby?”
How long until you see results?
It depends on the skill, not the source. Library resources are often the same quality as paid versions, so expect normal learning timelines: a few weeks to feel comfortable with a language app, a month or two to get useful at a software tool. What libraries change is the cost of experimenting, which makes it easier to try several subjects and settle on one.
For adults in later life, libraries are especially valuable: many run programs aimed at older learners, such as tech help sessions and talks. Our guide to learning new skills in retirement covers more options.
Where to go next
Spend ten minutes on your library’s website today and write down three services you did not know you had. Then borrow one thing tied to a goal and put a 20-minute session in your calendar this week.
Frequently asked questions
What free things can you learn at the library?
With a library card you can often learn languages through apps like Mango Languages, take video courses through LinkedIn Learning or Gale Courses, borrow ebooks and audiobooks on Libby or Hoopla, stream lectures on Kanopy, and attend in-person classes. Some libraries also lend tools, instruments and museum passes. Offerings vary by library system.
Is a library card worth it for adult learners?
Yes. A card is usually free for local residents and can include services that would cost a significant amount if you subscribed individually, such as language apps, video courses and streaming lectures. Even if you only use one or two services regularly, it is one of the best-value learning tools available.
Can I use library apps without going to the library?
Usually, yes. Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy and most databases work from home once you add your card number and PIN. Many libraries let you apply for a card online, though some require a visit to verify your address. Check your library's website for its sign-up process.
Does my library have LinkedIn Learning?
Many US public libraries offer LinkedIn Learning free to card holders, but not all. Check your library's eResources or online learning page, or search the library name plus LinkedIn Learning. If your library does not offer it, ask about Gale Courses or other video course services it may subscribe to.
What is the biggest mistake people make with library resources?
Borrowing too much and using too little. With everything free, it is easy to check out ten books and three courses and finish none. Pick one learning goal, borrow only what supports it, and use the loan period as a deadline for a short focused sprint.
Can you take classes at the public library?
Many libraries run free in-person and online classes for adults, such as computer skills, English as a second language, job searching, writing, and crafts. Some also host talks, conversation groups and maker sessions. Check the events calendar on your library's website, as programs vary by branch.
Do libraries lend things other than books?
Increasingly, yes. Some libraries run a library of things that lends tools, musical instruments, telescopes, cameras, sewing machines, games, and even museum or park passes. It is a cheap way to try a hobby before buying equipment. Ask your branch or search its catalog for the items you want.
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This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by the Life Learning Journey editorial team. Read our editorial standards.