A D.C. public library card is as good as gold. It gives you free access to hundreds of activities and resources. Also keep in mind that D.C. residents can double up and get a library card from any of the surrounding counties which each have their own set of resources! Check out these seven unique things you can do with your DCPL card:
Watch movies on Kanopy:
You get 10 play credits per month on the movie streaming service Kanopy, which has thousands of popular titles.
Listen to music:
Stream unlimited music with your library card using Freegal and can download three songs per week.
Get past media paywalls:
Get free access to the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and other publications. You can also use Pressreader, which has thousands of titles like the Economist, Foreign Affairs, and Rolling Stone.
My DC Public Library card, always close at hand. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Discover a new hobby:
You can rent out a recording studio, green screen, or dance studio sessions to kick off your SoundCloud career. Crafters can access a wide array of online crafting tutorials through Creativebug like quilting, embroidery, bookbinding, and sewing, plus lots of free patterns.
Learn a new language:
Your card gives you access to Mango, which has interactive courses and tutoring in over 70 languages.
Get books sent to you:
DCPL offers a Library by Mail service for residents who are homebound. Once registered, library staff get in touch, learn about your interests and send library materials for free.
Learn about your history:
Check out the People’s Archive for information on local history. You can find everything from old photos to information on your home and everything in between. You can also use your card number to access Ancestry.com for free.
