We all know that having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card.
But did you know that your little orange card gives you access to so much more than just books? Here are a few things you can do with a Madison Public Library card.
Grow a Garden
Five of Madison’s nine library locations have seed libraries that are free for anyone to use. Technically, you don’t even have to check the seeds out. Just take them, plant them, and see what grows!
There are dozens of plants to choose from, including flowers, herbs, and edibles like tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini.
Once your garden has bloomed, pay it forward by bringing seeds back to the library to share.
Take a Ride
In partnership with Madison BCycle, the library offers BCycle passes.
The community passes can be checked out for up to a week at a time and give you access to BCycle’s more than 50 stations in and around Madison. You can also check out a helmet as needed.
Of note: Library cardholders must be at least 18 years old to check out the community passes.
Find Your Long-Lost Family
The library has access to dozens of databases with all kinds of records — from birth and death certificates to high school yearbooks.
You can also access the popular Ancestry.com database at the library but you must be inside a Madison Public Library to use the service.
Go Birding
Is it just me or is everyone suddenly into birding these days?
If you’re looking to spot some winged-wonders, try checking out one of the library’s birding backpacks. Each pack comes with one pair of binoculars for adults, one pair of binoculars for kids, and helpful field and location guides to get you ready for exploring.
