Your KDL Library Card Gets You Way More Than Just Books

Growing up in a family of six, we heavily relied on the library. When mom was sick of us pestering her, we'd go up the street to the library. It was an incredible day when we learned we could get the latest Maximum Ride book, play Club Penguin on the computer, and check out Mario Kart for Wii.

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But that is the beauty of the library. While the library started as a place to get books to read, it offers so much more than that. To highlight this, I spoke with Katie Zuidema, the Marketing Communications Specialist at Kent District Library, to highlight services you may not know the library offers.

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No Overdue Fines

Remember when Blockbuster was around, you'd forget to turn your movie back in, and you'd get slapped with a late fee? Notice how Blockbuster isn't around anymore. Evolving with the times is a crucial part of keeping people coming, and KDL recognized that late fees acted as a barrier of entry for many.

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So, beginning in 2019, late fees are no longer charged for library materials that are returned past their due date. There will be a replacement fee for items 35 days overdue, but the fee is waived if the item is returned.

Beyond Books Collection

Perhaps the most surprising thing I learned from Katie was about the Beyond Books Collection. Earlier, I mentioned my excitement when you could rent video games. That is only a very small part of what the library offers. From camping gear to technology to a 50-person Silent Disco (complete with headphones!), the library offers some cool (and pricey!) items that anyone can check out.

I encourage you to check out the full list for yourself:

• Outdoor/Camping gear (dry sack, stuff sacks, flashlights, paracord, compass, hiking gear, Trekking Poles, Stargazin Binoculars)
• EMF Meter (for all the would-be Ghost Hunters out there)
• Metal Detectors
• Nature Watching Backpacks
• External CD/DVD Drives
• Silent Disco
• GoPro Cameras
• Green Screen and Umbrella Lighting Kit
• iPad, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation/Xbox Gear
• Stud Finder
• Mobile WiFi HotSpots

PerkPass

Kent District Library has partnerships with some of Grand Rapids' biggest museums and attractions via ther Perk Pass. Using just your library card, you can reserve free tickets to attractions like Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (which recently was named Best Sculpture Park In America for the third year in a row), the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), and the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. Reservations must be placed ahead of time.

Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and more!

If you're looking to get eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, movies, TV, and more for free and on demand, KDL has you hooked up. Libby and Hoopla is the library at your finger tips, and Kanopy is like Netflix, but free. Kanopy is also ad-free on your tv and online. KDL offers lots of apps and digital content, so make sure explore it all.

Overall, your library card gets you more than just books. With budgets becoming more stretched than ever, utilizing the services that are free can go a long way.