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kicks off on Sunday (April 19-25), and to celebrate, we asked , associate professor and program director for the program in the , to share her favorite, lesser known, services and resources that local libraries offer their communities.

“Libraries are so much more than books and audiobooks; though they are two of my favorite perks,” Patin says.

The modern public library, she says, is community infrastructure, as essential to its functioning as roads or schools.

“What strikes me most is that public libraries are one of the few remaining truly public spaces,” Patin says. “Places where you don’t have to buy anything to belong. A teenager doing homework, a job seeker updating their resume, a new immigrant learning English, a senior researching a medical diagnosis, they’re all welcome, and they all get the same quality of professional help.”

The librarians, too, are doing far more than just organizing their collections, Patin says.

“They are trained information professionals who help people find, evaluate and use information in ways that change their lives,” she says. “Librarians don’t just connect people to information: they connect people to each other, to services and to a sense of belonging in their community. That’s not a side function. That’s the whole point.”

Patin says she wants library science students to understand the work they’ll be doing is relational, not just technical, since the best librarians are not just retrieving information. They are building trust, “meeting people where they are, listening deeply and advocating fiercely on behalf of their communities” she says.

Patin says the best way to support your local library and librarians is to use the library “loudly and often.”

“Usage data matters enormously when library budgets are being debated,” Patin says. “Check out books (physical and digital), attend programs, bring your kids, bring your neighbors. Beyond that: advocate. Show up to your local library board meetings. Contact your elected officials and tell them you value library funding.”

Headed into National Library Week, Patin says she hopes people not only appreciate their local library, but take steps to actively protect it, say thank you to a librarian and engage with the materials, programs and services they offer.

Below, Patin shares the five services and resources she wants every community member to know about at their local library.

Park and Nature Passes—Borrowable Like a Book

Cardholders at (OCPL) can to county parks like Beaver Lake Nature Center, Highland Forest, Jamesville Beach and even the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Library patrons can also get New York State Empire Passes for state parks across the state.

“It’s one of my favorite examples of libraries providing access to experiences, not just information,” says Patin.

If OCPL isn’t your local library, don’t worry. Most public libraries offer similar options to check out passes for cultural or natural resources like museums, parks, zoos, aquariums or even theaters. Ask your local librarian!

Makerspaces and Technology Access

It’s not uncommon now to find access to technological tools and makerspaces—collaborative workspaces that offer access to resources like 3D printing, laser cutters or audio/video equipment—at your local library.

“ give community members access to equipment, from 3D printers to adaptive technologies, that most people couldn’t afford on their own,” Patin says. “The Central Library also has a Preservation Lab and specialized adaptive technology resources for people with disabilities. You can also record your next album there!”

A ‘Library of Things’—Not Just Books and Media

While libraries have always been in the business of lending, Patin says that idea has expanded in remarkable ways.

“At Syracuse University Libraries, you can borrow laptops, cameras and other tech gear,” Patin says.

Public libraries around the country have taken the “library of things” even further, lending cake pans, seed libraries for gardeners, musical instruments, tools, board games, sewing machines, telescopes and more to patrons.

“The underlying principle is the same one that has always driven libraries: why should everyone have to own something they only need occasionally?” she says. “Access over ownership is a radical and quietly revolutionary idea, and libraries have been living it for over a century.”

Adult Literacy, GED Preparation and ESOL Programs

Public libraries also remain an important lifeline for adult learners offering a range of educational programming, Patin says.

“OCPL offers adult literacy tutoring, GED/TASC preparation, and English for Speakers of Other Languages programming,” she says. “This is workforce development, family stability and community building happening right at the branch level.”

Programming That Brings People Together

“Libraries are community living rooms: places where things happen, not just places where things are stored,” Patin says.

As such, many libraries run seed swaps, art supply exchanges, maker workshops and language learning circles for their communities. OCPL regularly hosts book clubs, storytimes, author talks, art events and technology help sessions.

“This programming serves every age and stage of life, and it’s all free,” Patin says. “That matters enormously in communities where paid entertainment and enrichment are out of reach for many families.”