Five Reasons (Beyond Books) to Love Your Library

Libraries are known for providing access to books and information, but offer lots of other services, too.

In celebration of February as Library Lover’s month, Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL) is highlighting four reasons to love your library beyond books.

Find a connection

Your VBPL account enables you to check out a Wi-Fi hotspot! You’ll be able to connect mobile devices like laptops, smartphones and tablets to the internet when you’re on the go. Place a hold now to get started enjoying these features:

Access the internet with an unlimited data plan
Connect up to 10 devices at a time
Keep it for up to three weeks

Streaming is sweeter when it’s free

Watch, listen, read and learn with VBPL’s extensive digital library of popular and classic movies, music, e-books, audiobooks and magazines right at your fingertips to download or stream. Pursue a hobby or master a new skill from thousands of online courses available from trusted sources like The Great Courses, LinkedIn Learning, Craftsy and more.

Accessible options

If you or someone you know has low vision, blindness or a physical disability that makes it difficult to read regular print, VBPL provides free resources and services, including mailing audiobooks and players, large print books, descriptive DVDs and more directly to customers’ homes. Accessible Resources & Services staff offer one-on-one assistance and host programs for learning and fellowship opportunities such as the Seeing Beyond program at Bayside Area Library.

Explore the outdoors

VBPL's Library of Things has a collection of items to help you explore outdoors, including a bird-watching kit, pickleball sets, gardening tools, bug-catching kits, kites, picnic baskets, discovery backpacks and more that will help you get out and enjoy the beach or your backyard.

Selected items are offered at most library locations and are part of the "Lucky Day" collection — available to check out on a first-come, first-served basis with a VBPL library account. Check the library catalog for availability.

Keep your garden growing

VBPL provides free Seed Libraries where you’ll find a variety of flower, herb and vegetable seeds to take home and plant in your own garden. You’ll find them at the Central, Bayside, Great Neck, Kempsville, Oceanfront and Princess Anne branches. The Virginia Beach Master Gardeners restock the seeds every month and each packet provides tips on how best to care for it.

To enjoy library resources, all you need is a library card. If you don’t already have an account, apply online and find all there is to love at your library!

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