AI Assistance Disclosure: The author wrote this article. AI was used to assist with brainstorming and compiling an initial list of library resources and benefits. All information and links were reviewed by the author before publication.
Photo credit: @luvpinkhellokitty
Let's address the elephant in the room.
Did you get your Hello Kitty library card because you actually needed a library card?
Or did you stand in line just to get your hands on one because... Hello Kitty?
Maybe it's tucked away safely. Maybe you're proudly displaying it. Maybe you engaged in some questionable library card practices. 👀
We don't judge here. We just want to help you find family fun.
And yes, The Elephant in the Room is actually a book by Holly Goldberg Sloan for kids ages 10–14. And you can borrow it now because you got your Hello Kitty LA County Library card!
So now it's time to actually use it!
Did you know your library card can be used for so much more than borrowing books or using the computers?
Here are some of the things you can do with your LA County Library card that you might not know about.
Information below is for the LA County Library system. Availability and borrowing rules can vary by location.
1. 🎟️ Get Free Museum Passes
Planning a family outing? Your LA County Library card can get you access to Discover & Go, a program that offers free or discounted passes to museums and cultural attractions.
Participating destinations can include places like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Autry Museum of the American West and more.
See current Discover & Go attractions and reserve passes →
2. 🌲 Check Out a California State Parks Pass
Your library card can help get your family outdoors, too!
California's State Library Parks Pass program allows California public library cardholders to check out a vehicle day-use pass for 200+ participating California State Parks.
That means your next family adventure might be waiting at the library.
See how the California State Library Parks Pass works →
See participating state parks →
3. 🛠️ Borrow Things That Aren't Books
This might be one of the biggest surprises.
At participating LA County Library locations, you can borrow items from the Tool Lending Library.
We're talking about things like:
- Hammers and wrenches
- Power tools
- Gardening tools
- Power cords
- Sewing machines
- Cricut machines
- Baking and cooking equipment
- Crafting supplies
- And more
See the LA County Library Tool Lending Library →
So before you buy a tool you'll use once... check the library.
4. 💻 Learn With LinkedIn Learning
Want to learn a new computer program? Improve your photography skills? Learn about business, music, animation or web development?
Your LA County Library card can give you access to LinkedIn Learning and thousands of online courses.
Explore LA County Library's online learning resources →
5. 🌎 Learn a New Language
Thinking about learning Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French or another language?
LA County Library offers Mango Languages, with courses in more than 70 languages.
Learn more about Mango Languages →
6. 📚 Get Free Homework Help
Have a child who needs help with homework?
LA County Library offers online tutoring through Brainfuse HelpNow, with help available in subjects including math, science, reading and writing, social studies and test preparation.
There's also a writing lab.
Explore homework help and online learning →
7. 🎓 Find College & Career Resources
The library can help with more than tonight's homework.
Resources such as LearningExpress provide practice tests, tutorials and other resources for school, college, career preparation and exams.
There are also online courses and continuing-education resources available through the library.
Explore LA County Library's learning resources →
8. 💻 Get Connected
Need a computer, internet access or a place to print something?
Depending on the location and availability, LA County Library offers resources including:
- Computers
- Wi-Fi
- Laptop loans
- Hotspot loans
- Printing
See LA County Library technology resources →
9. 🎥 Make Something Instead of Just Watching Something
Here's another one parents of creative kids and teens might want to know about.
Some LA County Library locations have equipment for digital content creation, including things such as:
- Digital cameras
- GoPros
- Tripods
- Gimbals
- Podcast microphones
So your teen wants to make a video or experiment with podcasting? The library may already have some of the equipment.
See the Tool Lending Library and available equipment →
10. ✂️ Get Crafty
Sewing machines? Check.
Cricut machines? Check.
Crafting equipment? Check.
The library's Tool Lending Library can give families an opportunity to try creative equipment without immediately having to buy it themselves.
But Wait... What About Torrance, Redondo Beach & El Segundo?
And yes, we realize the irony.
We're Macaroni KID Torrance and Macaroni KID Redondo Beach and we just told you all about the cool things you can do with an LA County Library Card.
And there's just one tiny problem...
Torrance, Redondo Beach and El Segundo have their own city-run library systems, separate from LA County Library.
So if you live in one of these cities, your city library card won't give you the exact same collection of resources available to LA County Library cardholders.
But that doesn't mean you're missing out on the fun.
These libraries have their own benefits worth checking out.
🌲 California State Parks Pass
The California State Library Parks Pass program is available through participating California public libraries, giving library cardholders access to free vehicle day-use entry at participating state parks.
California State Parks — State Library Parks Pass →
📚 Homework Help
Local libraries also offer resources to help students with schoolwork and learning.
🎬 Hoopla
Torrance and Redondo Beach offer access to Hoopla, which lets library cardholders borrow digital entertainment such as movies, TV shows, music, eBooks and audiobooks.
📱 Libby
You can also use Libby through participating library systems to borrow digital books, audiobooks and magazines.
🎓 LearningExpress Library
Torrance Public Library offers LearningExpress Library, with resources for school, career preparation and test prep.
Torrance Public Library — Learning Resources →
📚SMART Kits & Storytime Kits
Torrance Public Library also has SMART Kits and Storytime Kits, giving families another way to bring hands-on learning and library activities home.
💼 AtoZ Databases
If you're a business owner, entrepreneur or someone researching businesses, Torrance and El Segundo offer access to AtoZ Databases, a business research and reference resource.
So...what will you be doing with that library card?
