What can you do with an LA library card?

Image credit: Public Discourse

In 2026, we hardly have the need for libraries anymore. The internet gives us access to pretty much anything, from movies to AI, we no longer need to walk to the library and spend hours researching a topic. This is both good and bad. On one side, we have pretty much unlimited access to knowledge, but on the other side, it seems like we are slowly losing the ability to actually look for information. 

Because the internet is both wonderful and horrible, we’re somehow finding less and less use for libraries. This is why Los Angeles’ libraries are special - even if you don’t see the need for free books, library cards can help you access countless additional free activities and resources.

In this article, I will be listing the many things that you can do for free with a Los Angeles Library card. 

The best thing that you can get with an LA library card, (in my opinion,) is all of the online resources. With a card, you can download the app Libby, which gives you access to your library online. This means that if the reason you aren’t reading is because you don’t have the space for physical books, you can just pull your phone out and sign in online. Or, do you constantly forget to return your books after two weeks? There’s no need to worry, because the app will turn them in for you!

Another online resource available is Kanopy. Kanopy is an app where you can stream a countless number of movies and TV shows. If Netflix is too expensive, there’s no need to worry, because Kanopy is completely free with an LA library card. 

Did you know that the New York Times is also free with a library card? As long as you log into the digital version with your library card, there will be no fees and you can enjoy reading the news from anywhere you have access to a device.

Have you ever arrived at a state park, excited for your trip, only to turn around because the parking price is so outrageous? Well, with a library card, you can access over 200 state parks with completely free parking! Each card can support one vehicle with nine people or less, (or one motorcycle). 

Or maybe you’ve suddenly had the urge to learn a musical instrument, like ukulele? With a library card, you can rent a free ukulele from 18 different libraries, including Central Library. The kit includes the instrument, its case, a chord book, and a tuner. If you ever need an emergency ukulele, you can always pick one up for three weeks at a time from one of the many Los Angeles libraries. 

Through a program called Discover and Go, you can get free museum passes from your library. In this program, you need to be over 18 to get tickets, but you can get however many available and take your family too. There are 22 different museums to choose from, but unfortunately, you will need to have a physical library card for this one to work. Some of the most well known museums you can visit include MOCA, Discovery Cube, the Natural History Museum, the La Brea Tar pits and even the Los Angeles Zoo. 

Last but not least, there’s the Octavia Lab. Octavia Lab was added to the Central Library in 2019 and has been a hit with artists, kids and adults with a bit too much free time. The Octavia Lab is home to two 3D printers, a recording studio, a laser cutter, sewing machines, a vinyl cutter, an embroidery machine, and even a 3D scanner. There are many other smaller pieces of equipment you can use in the space too, but those are the main ones. This space is completely free if you have  a library card, but you do have to reserve equipment and some can only be used for a certain amount of time. 

Overall, the library is a great place to access information, but there are many more things you can do with a library card and I’d seriously consider signing up for one.