Want to experiment with 3D printing? All you need is a library card and an idea! El Dorado County (eldoradolibrary.org) has a 3D Printing Lab at its El Dorado Hills branch where cardholders can print one project per month. The Folsom Public Library (library.folsom.ca.us) offers three-week checkout of PrintrBot Simple 3D Printers. Each kit includes a printer, filament, tools, software, and instructions.

STATE PARKS PASSES

Eager to explore the great outdoors? Start by checking out a state parks pass at your local library. All California public libraries offer day-use parking passes to cardholders, good for entry to 200 parks (parks.ca.gov). The El Dorado County Library also offers Sno-Park permits.

 KITS OF ALL KINDS

In El Dorado County and Folsom, cardholders can check out memory kits to aid those with dementia, and mental health kits to better understand various mental illnesses; in Placer County (placer.ca.gov), themed family-fun kits include books and related activities; the Roseville Public Library (roseville.ca.us) offers sensory kits to support the needs of neurodiverse youth and teens. And in Folsom, cardholders can borrow outdoor adventure kits for pickleball, bocce ball, disc golf, birdwatching, and even gold panning!

“The library has always been about connecting people with information and resources, so it makes sense that our services change to keep up with our community’s needs,” explains Thomas Gruneisen, director of the Folsom Public Library.  

MOVIES, TV, & MORE

Library cardholders in Placer County can stream movies, documentaries, and TV shows for free through Hoopla and Kanopy. The Folsom Public Library also offers streaming of music, dance, and theater content from the Royal Shakespeare Company, Broadway On-Demand, and more. Prefer to watch movies on the big screen? Placer County’s Auburn branch celebrates the golden age of Hollywood by showing classic movies on the silver screen. Other area libraries host movie nights for families, teens, and adults.

ONLINE LEARNING

Interested in pursuing a new hobby or career? Want to enhance your computer skills or learn a new language? Libraries offer free access to thousands of online classes and certifications though platforms including Coursera, LearningExpress, NorthStar Online Learning, and LinkedIn Learning. The Folsom Public Library also offers Mango Languages, which includes 70 world language courses and over a dozen specialty courses, including Biblical Hebrew, Ancient Greek, and Pirate!

CLASSES FOR BODY & SOUL

At Placer’s Auburn branch, cardholders can take White Dragon Short Form T’ai Chi. The El Dorado Hills branch offers Heartfulness Meditation classes. And in Folsom and throughout El Dorado County, those 55 and older can access interactive online health and well-being classes through GetSetUp.

READ TO A DOG

In Rocklin, Cameron Park, Loomis (loomislibrary.org), and Lincoln (lincolnca.gov), young readers can develop their skills by reading to a furry friend. This program aims to boost children’s reading abilities and self-confidence through the practice of reading aloud to trained therapy dogs.

CONVERSATION CLUBS

Many libraries throughout the region, including Folsom, Roseville, Lincoln, and Cameron Park, offer conversation clubs for those learning English as a second language. The Roseville Public Library also offers a movie club for English learners. And Placer’s Rocklin branch offers ESL for Life classes in partnership with the Placer School for Adults.

VETERAN SERVICES

All libraries in the region offer VetNOW, an online resource that helps veterans at any stage of their post-military careers to navigate veterans benefits and transition to civilian life. This includes preparing for interviews, job searches, and building new career skills, with help from live job counselors and professional résumé reviewers.

HANDS-ON HISTORY

At the Maidu Museum & Historic Site (part of the Roseville Public Library), visitors can learn about the Nisenan Maidu people who once lived there. There is a fee to enter the museum, but visitors can walk the trail for free to see hundreds of bedrock mortars, ancient petroglyphs, and native plants. At the free El Dorado County Historical Museum in Placerville (part of the El Dorado County Library), visitors can discover the rich history of the area, from the Native American tribes who once lived there to the Gold Rush miners who came from far and wide.

“Libraries contain wonder and excitement and discovery,” says Bryce Lovell, director of library services for El Dorado County. “They are truly for each and every person.”   

by Jennifer Maragoni
Photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.