You almost certainly know that you can borrow books from the public library, and you might even know that you can borrow graphic novels, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines and CDs from many locations as well. But if you have a library card, you’re almost certainly underutilizing that small, rectangular passport to America’s greatest success in sharing.

From the seasonally restocked seed library to the tools in three Sacramento library locations’ Libraries of Things, your library card unlocks access to a wide berth of objects and experiences. Plus, the more you use it, the more data the library has to show the California legislature the annual benefit to citizens of their programs, making continued funding for these programs more likely.

Don’t have a card yet? You can get one at any one of the Sacramento Library branches or online by verifying your identity and Sacramento County address. Librarians can also create a computer access card in-person for those who provide basic contact information, even without a photo ID.

A — Ancestry.com

Ever needed to learn more about your family’s past for a school project or been curious about the generations that came before? A subscription to Ancestry’s services, which include access to billions of global historic records and tools to help you piece together your family tree, costs anywhere from $24.99 to $59.99 per month. But when you use a computer at one of the Sacramento library locations, you’ll have access to those services for free.

B — Board games

If you’ve ever wanted to host an epic, sprawling board game night but have room in your cabinets to store approximately one deck of cards, this library service is for you. If you want a fun and free date night idea and love trying out new board games, this library service is for you. If you’re babysitting a teenager, and you want to keep them entertained and also make them think you’re cool, this library service is for you! The Sacramento Library is home to more than 500 board games. They’re primarily located at the Central Library on I St., but you can place a hold on a board game to have it shipped to your local branch for easier pickup, and you will usually have three weeks with the game before it’s time to return the item.

C — Cake pans

For the uniquely themed birthday parties, for the festive seasonal cakes, for the complicated recipe you’ve been wanting to try but don’t quite have the funds to purchase the special pan for — the Sacramento cake pan library is truly for all occasions. Every baker knows that there’s a limit to the number of cake pans you can store in a basic, functioning kitchen. But this collection, housed at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library and the Rio Linda Library, includes everything from a madeleine pan to a book-shaped cake pan, handily solving the problem of space. It might even inspire you to make a cake shape you would’ve never dreamed of otherwise.

D — Discover + Go passes

The Discover and Go program offers free and low-cost passes for certain museums, science centers and zoos, to library card holders (and a plus-one) via a reservation system. There are a limited number of passes available per month, so especially for high-demand locations like the Exploratorium or the California Academy of Sciences, it can be difficult to snag a reservation. But plenty of the lesser-known spots tend to be open much longer, allowing last-minute, low-cost trips to your local museum for a fun and educational weekend activity.

E — English language learning

The Sacramento Library offers a variety of resources for English language learners, including free one-on-one tutoring, small English conversation groups and interactive online language tools. Many of these online tools, such as Mango Languages, are also helpful for those in the process of learning Spanish or another language.

F — Freegal

Tired of ads on YouTube music or fees on Spotify? Freegal is a music app downloadable on both Apple and Samsung devices allowing library users to stream millions of songs, albums and playlists for free. Library card holders can also download a limited number of songs per week.

G — Garden tools

Whether you’re doing a landscaping project and need hedge trimmers, or hoping to start an herb garden and looking for seeds, the Sacramento Library is ready to help you discover your green thumb and put your backyard into bloom. Check out a variety of garden tools from the Library of Things or browse the selection of free seasonal seed packs at the Central Library.

H — Historical documents

Searching for postcard designs from decades past, or hoping to find your grandparents’ yearbook photos? The Sacramento Room, located on the second floor of Central Library in the original 1918 Carnegie Reading Room, houses the Special Collections and Archives for the capitol city. This includes everything from photographs dating back over a century to periodicals, maps, magazines, postcards, yearbooks, cultural objects and more. It may be your best bet for finding hyperlocal archival information. You can browse the physical collection in-person or scroll through digital scans for many of the items online.

I — IndieFlix

If you’re looking for something niche to add to your Letterboxed to make you look cool to your film buff friends, this is the spot for you. IndieFlix allows library card holders to stream independent films, shorts and documentaries for free on their browser, making it the perfect place to discover an award-winning film straight from Cannes or an educational documentary that you won’t be able to find on any other streaming service.

J — Job coaching

Struggling in the job market? The Sacramento Library has a myriad of resources to support you in your search, from in-person and virtual job coaching and interview practice through the JobNow program, to resume and job research workshops run by PRIDE Industries. The program also offers U.S. Citizenship test preparation through the same online system.

K — KitchenAid

A KitchenAid is a great lifetime investment, but if you’re less of a frequent baker and just need something to save your wrists from the pain of mixing four types of Christmas cookies by hand, borrowing the library’s KitchenAid is a great alternative. As with other items from the Library of Things, place a hold on it beforehand to ensure it will be available when you need it, and request for it to be transferred to your local branch for easier pick-up.

L — Local authors

Tired of all your favorite books referencing spots in S.F. or L.A. and never your hometown faves? The Sacramento Central Library has a uniquely curated section dedicated to works by local authors, and some are even set in the (erstwhile) City of Trees. The library invites local authors to submit a copy of their books for consideration.

M — Makerspace

The makerspace is made for bringing the dreams of crafty Sacramentans to life, both of the pens-and-paper type and those looking for free access to editing software. Certain library locations feature a fully decked-out makerspace available for drop-in use of all sorts of crafting tools, as well as software ranging from PremierePro to Audacity. The Central Library makerspace includes a 3D printer, a document scanner, a CriCut, craft supplies and more, and the Arcade library has everything you need to bring your next sewing project to life — plus a button maker!

N — The New York Times

Whether you just really want to keep track of your Wordle score, you love finding new recipes on NYT cooking, or you’re hoping to stay tuned in to national news on a more regular basis, you can use your library card to access all of the information and extras that The New York Times has to offer. Each login gives you 24 hours of continuous access, after which you’ll have to re-login.

O — Online hobby + crafts resources

Yet another bonus for crafty people in the Sacramento region, your library card will also grant you free access to Craftsy in both English and Spanish. This site has more than 1,500 online arts-related classes, including sewing, cakemaking, woodworking, cooking, painting and more.

P — Projector

Another gem in the Library of Things, this projector is just begging to be used for a PowerPoint night with friends (haven’t you heard of PowerPoint parties?), a cozy outdoor movie night in the summer or a spooky horror movie showcase in the fall. Reserve your slot well ahead of time to ensure it’ll be available!

Q — Quello

You’ve heard of Netflix, you’ve heard of Hulu, but have you heard of Quello? A music-lover’s new favorite streaming service, Quello houses full-length concerts, music documentaries and live performances, all accessible for free with your library card via the “extras” section of the Libby App.

R — Recording booth

Located next to the makerspace, both the Central Library and Martin Luther King Jr. libraries are home to WhisperRoom sound isolation booths, where singers, musicians or hopeful podcasters can use the extensive array of equipment, from sound mixers to instruments, microphones and a sound condenser to record a high-quality version of whatever they’re looking to create. The recording space is first-come, first-served — just like a good round of karaoke!

S — Self-publishing services

If you’re an aspiring author hoping to someday see one (or more) of your books on the shelves of the Sacramento Library, the local service wants to help you make that happen. With your library card, you can access Pressbooks Public, a free online platform that lets you create, edit and format eBooks and files for print, and the library also often offers publishing and writing workshops at various locations.

T — Trekking poles

Whether you’re a Bay Area hiker embarking on a snowy hike in the Sierra, an older hiker who wants some extra support on their journey, or anyone who struggles with stability and sure-footedness on the trail, head to the Library of Things to check out some trekking poles. The kit comes with a pair of adjustable poles, four rubber tips, two snow baskets, two mud baskets, an instruction sheet and a carrying bag.

U — Ukelele

Reserve your turn with this ukulele via the Sacramento Library website, and while you play it, you can envision yourself imbued with the musical prowess of all the musicians who’ve graced its check-out history.

V — ValueLine

A resource you might never have known to look to the library for, ValueLine offers library card holders access to investment ratings, research reports, statistics and financial forecasts for thousands of stocks and mutual funds. Individual subscriptions cost around $600 per year, making it an extremely valuable resource for the library to offer for free and likely an underutilized tool for those looking to invest.

W — Wellness materials

The Sacramento Library offers a whole host of resources centered around health and wellness, from cabinets with free sexual health information to yoga classes, brain health kits and free cooking classes, all intended to help library patrons feel their best.

X — XBox

With a little bit of patience and the passage of time, you can borrow an XBox console for free to play in the comfort of your own home. (It’s highly sought after, according to library employees.) The console comes pre-loaded with a few games, but you can also check out others. Join the waitlist now, and in about a month you’ll have a treat for yourself when your hold is ready.

Y — Young adult space

When you’re a teenager, it can be difficult to find any space that feels like yours. That’s why most Sacramento library locations have a dedicated Teen Space, focused on providing an area where teens feel safe to spend time at the library chatting with friends, reading, doing their work and generally enjoying a third space that feels like it centers around them.

Z — Zines

Like a magazine, but a little smaller and with a lot more aura, zines are an art-heavy, DIY, typically self-assembled and distributed miniature magazine that anyone can make. The Sacramento Library has a space for creators to donate one of their copies for patrons to read. They also often host zine-making workshops with materials, instructions and examples included.

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