For many teenagers, libraries are the last place they would want to go. Looming shelves, dusty books, librarians looking down from their reading glasses, shushing you with a stern finger. Maybe it was a cool place to get picture books when you were five, but now you don’t have time for any of that in between the textbooks, homework, and books for English class. Who even reads any more? If nothing else, libraries are rapidly becoming out of date.

In fact, the opposite is true! Libraries are quickly adapting and changing, and offer many services that high school students can still take advantage of, even if reading isn’t your top priority.

1. Free music downloads: Any Hennepin County Library user can download the app “Freegal”, and sign up with their library card. You can then download five free songs from their extensive library each day, and keep them forever. Hurray for legal, free, downloadable music!

2. CD checkout: For those of us who have our licenses and are still driving cars from before 2010 and can’t use the ever popular aux cord, CDs can be a lifesaver. With the interlibrary loan system, you can access CDs at any one of the 41 libraries in Hennepin county, meaning everything from Beyonce to Mozart is at your disposal.

3. E-book downloads: You don’t even have to go to the library to get books! If you have a Kindle, iPad, Nook, or even a smartphone, you can checkout free e-books with your library card. Simply download the 3M Cloud Library app, or the OverDrive Digital Library app, sign up with your library card, and have thousands of books available to you.

4. Job search help: Still hoping to find a summer job? Many libraries have job search assistance or resume help where you can have your resume proofread, job suggestions offered, and whatever else you need!

5. DVD checkout: Still waiting for The Simpsons to come on Netflix? What about Game of Thrones? Spongebob? Wait no longer! Just request the DVDs from your library, wait a couple of days, and binge watch over the weekend!

6. Great study space: If you’re looking for a quiet place to study, libraries are a great option. Most have private rooms to reserve where you can spread out and even play music without the distractions of home.

7. Tutoring help: Drop in tutoring help is available at twelve of the local libraries! Additionally, you can access tutoring online every day between 1 and 11 p.m.

While most of these services require a library card, doing it takes about five minutes. Stop by your local library and get one for free!

A few libraries near South:

East Lake Library

2727 E. Lake St.,

Minneapolis, MN 55406

Central Library

300 Nicollet Mall,

Minneapolis, MN 55401

Franklin Library

1314 E. Franklin Ave.,

Minneapolis, MN 55404