If you’ve got a Detroit Public Library card, you can unlock endless adventure! The library’s offerings go way beyond books. You can get streaming services, hotspots that you can take home, and so much more!
In this article, we’re going to review all the offerings available to you from the Detroit Public Library.
Unlock the Michigan Activity Pass
Use your Detroit Public Library card to set off on an adventure to places you’ve always wanted to visit or discover hidden gems you didn’t know about. Whether it’s a family day out at a museum, a solo hike in a state park, or a historical tour, there’s so much to do!
You just need your library card credentials to reserve free or discounted tickets through the Michigan Activity Pass. With the MAP, you get free or discounted access to over 400 destinations! It’s like a VIP pass to explore the best of Michigan’s rich landscape and heritage without worrying about the cost.
This pass can give you free or discounted admission to some of the most incredible destinations around the state, including:
- Arts & Scraps
- Dearborn Hills Golf Course
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
- Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
- Outdoor Adventure Center
- and more!
You just need to visit MIActivityPass.org and use your Detroit Public Library credentials to reserve a pass! It’s really easy!
Bring Home Tech
If you need a laptop and you’re a member of the Detroit Public Library, you’re in luck. The library offers a laptop checkout program that lets you borrow a laptop for up to 90 days – that’s three full months of access to a computer at no charge!
To get started, all it takes is a quick phone call to the Circulation Desk at (313) 481-1378. A friendly staff member will guide you through the process and tell you what you need to do.
The library also understands that having a laptop might not be enough if you don’t have internet access at home. That’s why they also offer internet hotspots for checkout. These handy devices give you the ability to connect to the internet wherever you are, making it easier to complete your schoolwork, apply for jobs, or stay in touch with loved ones. Just like with the laptop, reach out to the library staff, and they’ll fill you in on how to check out an internet hotspot along with your laptop.
Streaming Services
Your Detroit Public Library card is a passport to a fantastic range of streaming services that cater to all interests and ages. With your library card, you can tap into the exciting digital worlds of Hoopla, Libby (formerly Overdrive) and Kanopy, absolutely free.
Through Hoopla, you get the keys to a massive digital media library, where you can borrow ebooks, audiobooks, comics, and stream music and videos.
With Libby, the entire world of books and audiobooks is right at your fingertips, offering endless reading opportunities on your preferred device.
For movie lovers, Kanopy presents a cinephile’s dream with its wide array of films, featuring everything from critically acclaimed documentaries to timeless classics. It’s like having a film festival in your own living room, accessible anytime.
These online services are available from the comfort of your own home, ensuring that you don’t even have to travel to your local library branch in order to access entertainment and learning!
Online Learning
With a Detroit Public Library card, you have a powerful tool for online learning at your fingertips. From young learners to seasoned professionals, the library provides a wealth of knowledge to help you grow and learn at your own pace.
For children, ABC Mouse offers an engaging and interactive learning experience. It’s a comprehensive, digital education program that makes learning fun, with activities designed to help with reading, math, science, and art. You can use it in the library or at home for free!
If you’re aiming to learn new skills or advance your career, LinkedIn Learning opens the door to expert-led courses in various fields, from business to creative arts. All the courses are taught by industry experts. Whether you’re looking to enhance your resume or pick up a new hobby, these courses are self-paced and accessible anywhere you have internet access.
That’s not all! You can also get access to online research databases. These include detailed information on a variety of subjects, including hard-to-find DIY car repair manuals and archives of old newspapers.
Whether you’re fixing up an old car, researching for a school project, or indulging in historical newspaper articles, the library’s resources have got you covered. This access is more than just convenient; it’s like having a team of experts and a vast library at your disposal, all from the comfort of your home.
Other Services
That’s not all the library can do! There are many other services that the library can offer.
The Detroit Public Library has great activities for kids and teens. They can play games like Magic the Gathering or make arts and crafts. It’s a fun way to make new friends.
There’s also something cool called “Book Club in a Bag.” You can borrow a set of books to read with your friends for eight weeks. It comes with questions to help talk about the book.
And if you love reading, the library has reading challenges. If you read a lot of books, you can get prizes. It makes reading even more fun, especially for kids.
Summary
Obviously, the Detroit Public Library is more than just books. It’s a place where you can borrow laptops, internet hotspots, and dive into streaming services like Hoopla and Kanopy. You can even unlock free museum for some of the top destinations in Detroit and around the state. Get your Detroit Public Library card today!
Low Income Relief Team
This article is the product of a team effort! Multiple authors from the Low Income Relief team have contributed to this post. We have also used AI tools to organize data and refine the writing in accordance with our Responsible AI Use Policy. All articles on our website are reviewed by our founder and resident poverty expert, Nicole Thelin, prior to publication.