Since going full-time on my startup, I often work remotely at my local library. Over my time there, my eyes have been opened to what an absolute treasure public libraries are.
Besides the physical books everyone knows about, which are a treasure by themselves, there are many other valuable resources, as you mentioned, including:
- The Adobe suite, even including Character Animator
- Udemy
- Digital access to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and others
- Free notary services
- Print magazines and newspapers
- Puzzles
- Music and films
- eBooks and audiobooks
...not to mention community activities like classes, groups, and concerts.
Just being physically present in the library has benefited me. When I take breaks, I sometimes pick up a book at random. It may be about sales, health, politics, history. I sometimes come away with new ideas for my business, sometimes am just inspired or informed or amused in general.
I encourage anyone reading to stop by a library if you haven't been in a while. See what they offer. You might be surprised. And please, do what you can to support them in whatever way you can, even if that's just to use them, demonstrating the need for them by your patronage. We need these institutions, and they won't be around forever without our support.
Besides the physical books everyone knows about, which are a treasure by themselves, there are many other valuable resources, as you mentioned, including:
- The Adobe suite, even including Character Animator
- Udemy
- Digital access to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and others
- Free notary services
- Print magazines and newspapers
- Puzzles
- Music and films
- eBooks and audiobooks
...not to mention community activities like classes, groups, and concerts.
Just being physically present in the library has benefited me. When I take breaks, I sometimes pick up a book at random. It may be about sales, health, politics, history. I sometimes come away with new ideas for my business, sometimes am just inspired or informed or amused in general.
I encourage anyone reading to stop by a library if you haven't been in a while. See what they offer. You might be surprised. And please, do what you can to support them in whatever way you can, even if that's just to use them, demonstrating the need for them by your patronage. We need these institutions, and they won't be around forever without our support.