Museum and Recreation Passes/Discounts

The Charlotte & William Bloomberg Medford Public Library in Massachusetts offers free passes and discounts for 24 cultural institutions and recreational activities, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the New England Aquarium, Massachusetts State Parks and Boston by Foot tours.

Makerspaces

Maryland’s Carroll County Public Library has tools for hobbyists, including a large-format printer, laser engravers/cutters, specialty sewing machines, 3D printers and scanners, and a vacuum-forming machine. Training and assistance are available for machines requiring use certification. Classes include custom wineglass engraving and sewing.

Cultural Events

San Diego Central Library’s Cinema + Sound Series, now in its third year, features musical ensembles playing with or before related film screenings. All concerts, which are free and open to the public, take place at the Neil Morgan Auditorium, across the courtyard from the library entrance.

Demonstration Kitchens

The Culinary Teaching Kitchen at Mid-Continent Public Library in Kansas City, Missouri, has free classes on subjects such as starting sourdough, vegan cooking and food preservation. Dream of being the next French Chef or Famous Amos? Try the Culinary Business Incubation Program. Or rent the library’s commercial kitchen.

Community Gardens

Each February, the Salt Lake City Public Library selects 12 gardeners for the Plot, a free community garden where they can grow their own produce and participate in events. The library provides drip irrigation for the 4-by-8-foot raised beds. Even if you’re not part of the Plot—participants are chosen on the basis of availability, enthusiasm and need—you can get free seeds for flowers, grains, grasses, herbs and vegetables.