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28+ Incredible Hennepin County Library Card Perks

28+ Incredible Hennepin County Library Card Perks

Sure, you know you can check out books at the Hennepin County Library… but did you know you can also “check out” free tickets to museums and performance events?! We’ve uncovered all the secret perks that you can get with a Hennepin County Library card and we’ve got all the details below!

Here are a few reasons why I love the Hennepin County Library:

  • Free Museum & Performance tickets
  • Free energy meters
  • Online Downloads
  • and so much more!

Not your library? Click here to select a different library!

Get FREE museum passes from the Hennepin County Library!

The Hennepin County Library participates in the smARTpass program. This program offers free and discounted tickets to museums and performances to public library patrons.

SmARTpass partners include:

  • Bloomington Symphony Orchestry
  • Classical Actors Ensemble
  • Firefighters Hall & Museum
  • Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies
  • Hennepin History Museum
  • Hennepin Theater Trust
  • Illusion Theater
  • Minneapolis Institute of Art
  • Minnesota Orchestra
  • Mu Performing Arts
  • Northrop
  • Park Square Theater
  • Pillsbury House and Theater
  • PRIME Productions
  • Sandbox Theatre
  • Stages Theatre Company
  • SteppingStone Theatre
  • The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University
  • The Rose Ensemble
  • The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
  • The Schubert Club
  • The Singers
  • The Southern Theater
  • Theatre Coup d’Etat
  • Theatre Pro Rata
  • TU Dance
  • Walking Shadow Theatre Company

Check out an energy meter and save money on electricity!

If you’re wondering why your power bill is so high, borrow an easy-to-use Power Check energy meter from the Hannepin County Library.

This device plugs into any standard 120-volt appliance and measures the energy consumption and cost of that appliance. These devices will help you identify appliances that consume excessive energy, determine the cost of your appliances, identify “energy vampires” that consume energy even when turned off and help you find ways to save money on your bill.

The kit includes a Power Check meter, home energy assessment instructions, worksheets, money-saving energy tips, and information about rebates and incentive programs.

Instructions are available in English, Hmong and Spanish.

Stream free movies, audio books, e-books and more!

Learn new skills with online and offline library resources!

Expand your job-finding skills with help from the library’s online resources! The Hennepin County Library offers many different online employment tools to help you secure the job you want and need.

  • You can browse listings, find interview tips and helpful resume guides at Job and Career Accelerator
  • Get live interview coaching, online resume help and build your skills in math, reading and writing with JobNow.
  • Perfect your resume and cover letter, as well as your interview skills, at Optimal Resume. 

Learn about patenting your next big idea with educational events at the Hannepin County Library. As the only Patent and Trademark Resource Center in Minnesota, the library has expert staff that can help you navigate the trademarking and patenting process.

Discover your family history with genealogy tools and subscription databases such as Ancestry.com, Fold3 History, Genealogy Connect and Heritage Quest.

Learn a foreign language with Rosetta Stone Advantage or another service, Transparent Language Online.

Improve your typing skills with help from Typing Master Online’s free online typing course. This typing system includes games, drills and speed tests.

Get homework help in-person at the library during certain hours or free online homework help through BrainFuse. 

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.