You can find more than books at library

So often I hear even frequent library customers say “I didn’t know you had that!” when I tell them about a new resource we offer, or a cool event taking place. And I can’t help but wonder how surprised people who have not visited the library in years would be if they knew of some of the services and programs the Manatee County Library system provides. Libraries have become lively community centers promoting learning, creativity, personal and professional growth, and just plain fun.

Here are just a few of things our libraries offer that you might not be aware of:

If you click on the Research & Learning tab on our web page you will find dozens of databases, accessible from home, to assist you in researching health information, genealogy, historic newspapers, business and legal information, and even home repair. They are easy and fun to use. If you’d like to learn a new language you can select the Mango Languages database and choose from 72 languages.

Our Learning Express database features practice tests for college prep (SAT, ACT, AP etc.), citizenship, ASVAB (military), GED, and dozens of career tests. And gone are the days of those auto repair manuals the size and weight of cinderblocks. Instead, try out our Auto Repair Reference Center with repair information and wiring diagrams for more than 37,000 vehicles from 1954 to current models. And all of this is free with your library membership.

Our libraries are big promoters of lifelong learning. Every branch offers classes, workshops and demos on an array of topics. There is a Summertime Blues Workshop underway with professional musicians at the Central Library and numerous STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs for teens, including an Arduino workshop.

On our events calendar you will also find classes for Spanish, sewing, crochet, and cooking, just to name a few. There are also art and poetry workshops and chess clubs.

Libraries are also a great place to learn about other cultures. Our summer programs for children include Indian dance, Australian didgeridoo and Japanese drums. We have a large collection of travel books in print and electronic formats as well as DVDs. And the newly formed Downtown Library Voyagers will be learning about Ireland through a series of library programs, and then visit Ireland next May.

Job seekers will find the Career Source Suncoast’s Mobile Career Center parked at scheduled times at the libraries, and the Central Library will be hosting a hiring fair with more than 20 local companies 1-4 p.m. Sept. 12. Small business owners or those interested in starting a business will benefit from the workshops given by SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) at our libraries.

For free entertainment anytime, click on the library’s link for Hoopla and you’ll have access to thousands of e-books, movies, music, audiobooks, TV shows, and even comic books.

And, of course, if you’re looking for books we still have hundreds of thousands of them on our shelves. Visit our website at www.mymanatee.org/library for more information on all of these topics.

This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 5:13 PM with the headline "You can find more than books at library."