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San Bernadino Library Card Secret Perks

San Bernadino Library Card Secret Perks

The San Bernadino Library offers some incredible opportunities for low income people to save money and get free stuff! You can access free music and video streaming through your local library, as well as other benefits.

Over the last 10 years, we’ve researched countless library systems all over the United States and we’re convinced that the library is one of the most underutilized tools in the country. If you live near the San Bernadino Library, this article will walk you through all the amazing things you’ve been missing out on.

Animaker Space

The Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center has an Animaker Space! This space is sponsored by Garner Holt Productions, which is the largest manufacturer of animatronics in the world. The Animaker Space includes incredible STEAM creation tools that are available to kids, teens and adults through the local library system.

The Animaker Space has 3D printers, laser cutters and other tools that are available to the public. The space and the classes are available free of charge but you have to register in advance on the library’s Eventbrite page in order to attend.

Online Library

The San Bernadino County Library System spans 32 libraries across the largest county in the contiguous United States. The library system offers educational programs, tech classes and more at various locations.

Did you know that San Bernadino County is almost the same size as the entire state of West Virginia?! I didn’t know that until today, but it’s true.

This is probably why the library system focuses so heavily on their online library. It’s accessible to everyone in the county, whether or not they live near a library branch! These services can be accessed from home using your personal devices as long as you log in with your library card credentials!

The online services available with your San Bernadino Library card include:

  • CloudLibrary eBooks & Audiobooks
  • CloudLibrary Newsstand Magazines & Newspapers
  • Coursera
  • Freegal Music
  • Gale eBooks
  • GetSetUp
  • Job & Career Accelerator
  • LearningExpress eLibrary
  • Libby
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Northstar
  • Overdrive
  • Skillshare
  • VetNow

These services can help you save a bundle. Freegal Music will allow you to download five free songs per week. Some of these services offer free video streaming. Others, like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera and Skillshare are designed to help you develop marketable job skills that can improve your income.

Without a library card, these services can be quite expensive. For example, LinkedIn Learning is around $20 per month. Coursera Plus costs $59 per month. By using your library card, you can use those tools without having to pay out-of-pocket for them. This is a tremendous savings!

Adult Services

The library system has trained volunteers who can provide confidential, one-on-one tutoring for adults who struggle with reading, writing, spelling or technology. It’s a safe and private way to learn new skills!

Through the Books by Mail system, the San Bernadino Library will send books to people who are homebound or unable to travel to their local branch because it’s just too far away. In order to sign up for this service, you will need to call the Library Administration office.

Kids & Teens Services

Children and teens can earn freebies from the San Bernadino Library when they participate in the annual Summer Reading Challenge! This challenge asks young people to read a certain number of pages or hours in order to spin a prize wheel in the library. You can also earn tickets toward a grand prize raffle!

Very young children can participate in courses available through the library! These early learning courses help encourage early literacy and socialization by bringing children together to sing, dance, play and read.

Summary

The San Bernadino Library offers subscription services that you can access for free with your library card, which saves you money because you don’t have to pay for them yourself. There’s a lot more to the library than just checking out books! They also have a 3D printer and Animaker space that can be used for STEAM creation. This post explores what opportunities await low income San Bernadino residents at their local library.

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.