Public libraries are busier than they've been in years.

According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, U.S. public libraries logged over 800 million visits in 2023, almost double the 2021 total! 

But the digital side tells a different story: for every 4.37 physical items checked out per person, Americans borrowed just 1.68 e-books, audiobooks, or videos. And the most recent Pew Research Center data found that only about 3 in 10 adults had used a library website in the past year.

That means most Americans, and language learners in particular, are missing out on the free online resources their library card unlocks. 

If you don't have a library card yet, here's what you're missing out on:

1. Books: Most libraries carry world language collections, from classic novels to translations of bestsellers. Whether you want Don Quijote or Los juegos del hambre, start with your library's catalog. If your branch doesn't have what you're looking for, ask about interlibrary loan. Libraries can borrow titles from other libraries, so even a small branch can get you a book in your target language.

2. Other Lendable Materials: Libraries hold more than novels. Look for textbooks, phrasebooks, dictionaries, and audio courses in the language-learning section. For extra listening practice, try foreign films and music CDs. Many DVDs let you switch the audio or subtitles to another language, which makes a familiar movie a ready-made listening exercise.

3. Digital Resources: Prefer to read on a screen? Your library card likely unlocks more than you think:

• PressReader: Many libraries offer it. It gives cardholders more than 7,000 newspapers and magazines from over 100 countries in more than 60 languages, so you can read the morning news from Madrid, Paris, or Seoul. Some versions also let you translate articles and listen to audio versions.
• Libby (OverDrive): You can filter by language, so you only see titles in the language you're learning. Libraries can choose from e-books and audiobooks in over 100 languages.
• Hoopla: Many libraries offer audiobooks, e-books, films, music, and comics in over 50 languages, including Spanish, French, Chinese, and Russian.

4. Online Courses: Many public libraries also subscribe to an online language learning program like Transparent Language Online. We work with thousands of libraries around the world to bring 140+ languages to their communities, and you can learn at home or on the go with just your library card.

5. Conversation Groups and Classes: There are still great reasons to visit in person. Many libraries host free conversation groups and language exchanges, where learners and native speakers help each other practice. Some also offer classes, cultural events, and ESL conversation clubs. Check your library's events calendar to see what's near you.