I had the opportunity to visit the Westminster Library at College Hill last week for an event with our local Chamber of Commerce. I learned so much during our visit, and knew that I had to share it all with you!
One of the most interesting things I learned is that as a Colorado resident you can sign up for a library card for any public library in the state, for free. And not only that, but you can return library materials at any Colorado library. So say you’re in the car on a road trip, somewhere here in Colorado, and the kids are bored out of their minds. Stop at the nearest library and check out a book on tape, picture books or DVDs and bring them home with you! Then you can drop them off at your nearest library, just make sure to turn them in a few extra days before the due date so it can get there in time. (I’d give them a call to see how long it’s going to take just to make sure you leave enough time!)
The College Hill library is really wonderful for book clubs too! One of the first things I noticed on our tour were the Book Club in a Bags, a bag full of 10 books that book clubs have enjoyed that also include discussion questions and author profiles. Some of the titles they had available that day included Big Little Lies, Wife 22, Orange is the New Black, Elizabeth is Missing, Boys in the Boat, The Girl Left Behind and Parents Behaving Badly. In addition to this wonderful service, one of the librarians I spoke with offers to come speak with book clubs about the book they’ve read, she’ll even recommend what your book club should be reading! That’s a service we all should be taking advantage of!
The library subscribes to a huge number of databases that are also included with your library card. The subscriptions include:
• Gale Courses
• Gale Kids (Homework Help)
• Encyclopedia Britannica
• Ancestry Plus Library (in building use only)
• Chilton Auto Repair
The two databases below are limited to Westminster residents, but the librarian said it was very common for libraries to hold these subscriptions, so if you’re not a Westminster resident your home town library may have them as well:
• Consumer Reports
• Morningstar Investment Research Center
The librarian told us a story about a woman who recently took the online Excel course through Gale Courses who learned so much that when she showed her employer her new skills, she received a raise and promotion! Put those free resources to work for you!
Here are some other great resources for school students:
• Abdo ebooks
• Britannica
• CultureGrams
• ImageQuest
• Kids InfoBits
• Mango Languages
• OverDrive Kids
• Biography in Context
• MedlinePlus
The library also has the Adventure Pass Program which provides free access to cultural and recreation attractions in the community. All Westminster library cardholders can reserve the following passes:
• Butterfly Pavilion
• Clyfford Still Museum
• Colorado State Parks
• Denver Botanic Gardens
• Denver Museum of Nature and Science
• Dinosaur Ridge
• Golf Westminster
• Platte Valley Trolley (Denver)
• Standley Lake Regional Park
• Westminster Recreation Centers
I learned so much that day, and I was amazed at all the information that’s available to us from the library. Go check it out and use those resources provided to our community!
