Exclusive Benefits for Boston Public Library Cardholders

Boston's public library system is probably one of the most overlooked destinations in the Boston area. Many people that I know both young and old who have lived in Boston 10 or more years don't even consider the library to be of much value to them and aren't even concerned about restrictions placed on their membership cards for overdue books and fines. Others only step foot in libraries to use the internet, mostly to check on their Myspace accounts.

How sad, considering the library has so much more to offer. To begin with the Boston library system consist of one main branch library and twenty-seven branch locations throughout the Boston area. In fact most Boston residents are fortunate to live within walking distance of at least one of the branch locations and the main branch is just a train ride away.

Each of the 28 libraries offers a wide variety of resources and activities that go far beyond checking out books. For example all libraries offer audio and video materials and allow them to be checked out free for one week. And their not just boring documentaries and books on tape either the library's audio visual section consists of music CD's many of them popular new releases and DVD's with many of them being featured films, animations, children's videos, and new releases. Sounds like a much better deal than Blockbuster to me. You can even download audio and video materials from their website.

Also the library has after school and weekend activities set up in the children's and young adults' rooms such as video game systems like Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii for game tournaments. They also offer teen dance competitions, movie nights, writing and book clubs, and even parties. For young children the library offers infant/ toddler sing along sessions, story-time, early literacy programs, and preschool movies times. Occasionally the library also offers special events hosted by special guests like African drumming lessons for example.

The best benefit the library has to offer to me however would have to be the museum pass program. With your single library card you can book free passes for up to four - six people to just about any one of the very expensive museums in Boston, the Franklin Park Zoo, and the New England Aquarium. Huge savings if you're ever planning a family trip to a museum, or zoo.

With all that the library has to offer it's hard to imagine why more people don't take advantage. Having a valid Boston library card free of restrictions is a real bargain these days if you're fortunate to live in the area. Hopefully more people will start using these resources while they're still freely available.