What Can I Do with a Library Card? Level Up Your Life with Library Resources
Learn more about all the resources available for free at Albuquerque Bernalillo County Public Library, from online learning to accessing CDs, DVDs, seeds, ukuleles and so much more.
by Kristin Satterlee
Everybody knows that libraries lend books, but they do so much more! New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC) Director Cathryn McGill says the library “opens up a whole world of possibilities” in terms of employment and education. NMBLC uses the library’s free resources for employee training, such as learning the ins and outs of Google Workspace, that otherwise might be too expensive.
Job training for grown-ups, school help for students
Preparing for or seeking a new job? The library has online classes to help you get your GED, build a resume, give an interview, and more. You can learn to run a Zoom meeting, market on Instagram, type quickly, write email, set up a WiFi connection, build spreadsheets, and create Word documents and PDFs. That’s just a quick sample! Many courses are available in Spanish.
There’s also plenty for kids and parents. The Brainfuse Help Now program alone includes support for students of all ages: writing lab, study groups, practice tests, flash cards—and live online tutoring and homework help from certified teachers, every day from 2 to 11pm.
And all of it is free.
Learn what you need, when you can
Once you have a library card, you can access all these resources from your own couch or kitchen table, with an Internet connection. (Don’t have one? Check out a mobile hotspot from the library.) Most are available around the clock.
No computer? Head into the nearest branch and use the ones there. If you need to keep documents or files from public computers, remember to bring a USB thumb drive to save them on.
Librarians to the rescue
There’s so much available at and through the library that we can barely skim the surface. If you want it, they probably have it!
You can search through the eResources here, or try a simple Google search like “genealogy at Albuquerque library”—or just call (or email or text) and ask. One of the library’s most powerful resources is librarians: superheroes at helping you find what you need. Need more help? Sign up for a class or one-on-one assistance.
And fun stuff too
Of course, the library still has books for adults and kids, as well as DVDs, CDs, streaming music, online magazines, audiobooks, genealogy tools, and more. There are tons of events, including Read to the Dogs, movie viewings, classes, and music shows. You can even check out birding kits, ukuleles, and museum passes!
How do I get a card?
Just walk into your nearest branch with a picture ID and proof of address. You must apply in person and fill out a form. Your library card will be good right away (don’t forget to get a PIN!), and you can get busy checking out books and using online materials.
Without an ID or proof of address, you can still get a card, but checkouts are limited. You can still use the digital resources as much as you want.
Begin your own library exploration journey at abqlibrary.org.
