8 free offerings you didn’t know you could get at your public library

Plus, a swanky local library with a gorgeous reading room.

After a few Stet staff meetings in the friendly, air-conditioned confines of our local branch, we looked deeper and found so much to love.

1. Free lunch for children in the summer.

• All Palm Beach County library branches serve lunch from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday through Friday through July 28 to anyone under 18.

• It’s a partnership with the Palm Beach County School District.

• Come for lunch. Stay for the reading program.

2. Birding backpack. These are popular. 

• The backpack comes with an adult set of binoculars, two children’s binoculars, a pocket Florida bird guide and more in a backpack with room for hats, sunscreen and water bottles. 

• Library card holders can reserve one to check out and return to any branch.

 3. Mobile hotspot. Also popular.

• Mobile hotspots can be set up almost anywhere, allowing you to browse the internet for free.

• Search the online library catalog to determine availability.

• Place a hold.

• Mobile hotspots can be checked out for 21 days.

 4. Ask a librarian.

• Communicate via text, chat or email.

• Best of all, these sessions are free.

• Start here.

5. Reserve a meeting room.

Most branches have rooms with tables and chairs available to library cardholders when the spaces are not being used for library activities. The Palm Beach Gardens branch, for example, has a meeting room that can hold 90 people.

• Use the library system’s new online reservation portal to reserve a room.

• Some fine print on requirements to reserve a room.

Do you have a brief question about hours or services? Call (561) 233-2600. We tried it. A person will answer.

❤️ More to love: In 2019, the Palm Beach County library stopped charging late fees on overdue materials.

At the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, patrons don’t have to live in the city to get a free library card.

And, and, and: In most areas of the West Palm library, it’s OK to make a little noise.

There, among the books and other media, you will find:

 6. Access to a sewing machine

• The next sewing open studio is 1 to 3 pm Thursday, Feb. 13.

• Register here.

 7. A simulator to help you learn to drive

• Anyone over 15 can book a one-hour session.

• Learn automatic or stick-shift transmission or both.

• Register here.

 8. A 3D printer

• Create small- to medium-sized objects.

• Reserve for two hours.

• Find a time here.

Pro tip: The King Library at the Society of the Four Arts serves the town of Palm Beach and is open to members from all over who pay $30 a year.

• Membership includes up to two people in a household.

• The library houses more than 75,000 books, audiobooks, DVDs and periodicals and offers a suite of online portals.

• When in town, visit the stunning library reading room at the Four Arts.

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You’re reading a story from nonprofit Stet News Palm Beach.