Many Americans are struggling with affordability challenges, but money is no object at Wyoming's public libraries, where a free library card can get you access to a variety of services.
Library card holders can access Hoopla, a streaming platform similar to Netflix and others charging a hefty monthly fee, from the comfort of home.
Beth Cook, director of public services for the Laramie County Library System in Cheyenne, said in addition to checking out books, a local library card can also help patrons download music or watch a favorite show.
"People love being able to access stuff digitally. E-books, e-audiobooks, movies, TV episodes, music, all that stuff can be streamed with a library card," Cook said.
Hoopla is a digital service of Midwest Tape, which has supplied DVDs, CDs and audiobooks to public libraries across North America for more than a quarter of a century. Library card holders can also access books and magazines from anywhere through an app called Libby. Hoopla and Libby are free for library card holders, but libraries pay fees on a pay-per-view model, which helps pay content creators.
Most Wyoming libraries offer free internet access, computers and printers, and some have 3D printers and glowforges. Cook added patrons can get documents notarized, business coaching, help applying for grants and live tutoring for students on a range of subjects.
There are also a number of items patrons can check out and take home, including blood pressure kits, laptops and internet access hot spots.
"Anything from toolkits to 'try before you buy,'" Cook said. "Maybe you want to try this chainsaw before you commit to buying it. You really can. It's meant to lower barriers for people to have access to the tools that they need."
Laramie County Library, launched as a Carnegie library in 1886, is the longest-running county library in the nation. Cook pointed out libraries were created to serve communities, in part by ensuring residents can access tools to learn and grow.
"Our mission right now is ignite curiosity, fuel imagination and connect community, and I think that's true for all public libraries in Wyoming," Cook said.
Support for this reporting was provided by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, formerly Carnegie Corporation of New York.
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