Honestly, the library. They’ve been mostly forgotten in our digital present, but borrowing books for free is practically utopian in today’s enshittified, monetized world. You often can do it digitally if you like your devices.
Even if you never go to your library again after joining, a library card will usually get you free access to a streaming service like Kanopy or Hoopla that often has a not at all terrible selection.
They are one of the last places you can go without the underlining expectation that you need to buy something. They have become a neutral community space that is open to everyone no matter your sexuality, political views, and culture, offering access to a variety of material and resources for you to harness and grow.
Depending on your library, you can check out things ranging from books, digital books, movies, video games, board games, carpet cleaners, cake pans, instruments, fishing poles, cellular hotspots, power tools, sewing machines, karaoke equipment, etc. On top of all of that, libraries usually offer a plethora of programs. You can learn to knit, paint, macrame, eat healthy, manage finances, hatch eggs, grow plants, prepare for disasters, write a resume, or interview for a job. You can meet authors, get family portraits, learn about local history and so much more. Libraries are amazing, and cost very little in taxes compared to all they provide.
My library: Tech Mentors! People bring in their laptops, cell phones, whatever, and we show them how to install programs, create accounts, surf, write resumes, fill out government forms, you name it.
If you can Lemmy, you can volunteer at the library to help people from being lost online.
Honestly, the library. They’ve been mostly forgotten in our digital present, but borrowing books for free is practically utopian in today’s enshittified, monetized world. You often can do it digitally if you like your devices.
Even if you never go to your library again after joining, a library card will usually get you free access to a streaming service like Kanopy or Hoopla that often has a not at all terrible selection.
👏Li👏brar👏ies👏
They are one of the last places you can go without the underlining expectation that you need to buy something. They have become a neutral community space that is open to everyone no matter your sexuality, political views, and culture, offering access to a variety of material and resources for you to harness and grow.
Depending on your library, you can check out things ranging from books, digital books, movies, video games, board games, carpet cleaners, cake pans, instruments, fishing poles, cellular hotspots, power tools, sewing machines, karaoke equipment, etc. On top of all of that, libraries usually offer a plethora of programs. You can learn to knit, paint, macrame, eat healthy, manage finances, hatch eggs, grow plants, prepare for disasters, write a resume, or interview for a job. You can meet authors, get family portraits, learn about local history and so much more. Libraries are amazing, and cost very little in taxes compared to all they provide.
My library: Tech Mentors! People bring in their laptops, cell phones, whatever, and we show them how to install programs, create accounts, surf, write resumes, fill out government forms, you name it.
If you can Lemmy, you can volunteer at the library to help people from being lost online.