By Lena Vasquez, Community Features & Culture Editor

Many Sacramentans still picture the library as nothing but old books collecting dust. You can still check out a book at the library, but if you think that’s all they offer you might be paying for things you can get for free at the library. Tools, gadgets, and streaming services are all on offer at local libraries and all you need is a library card.

Through the Library of Things program you can check out tools and equipment instead of buying them. Sewing machines are one of the most popular items. Pressure washers, hedge trimmers, Cricut machines, and other yard and household tools are available too. Borrow it, use it for your project, and bring it back.

On the digital side, your library card also gets you free access to Kanopy. You won’t find blockbuster movies on it or popular series’ like Landman, but you will find a wealth of documentaries, international films, indie movies, and the Criterion Collection of classic and important films. If you like documentaries or more thoughtful films or have kids and want educational content, Kanopy may be just right for you.

Why hand over your hard earned money to a company when the library is giving away the same things for free?

Who can use this You don’t have to live inside Sacramento city limits. Any California resident can get a free Sacramento Public Library card. Bring proof of your address to any branch if it doesn’t verify online. Once you have the card, you can reserve Library of Things items and stream on Kanopy. That includes folks in Roseville, Citrus Heights, Rocklin, and the surrounding areas.

The library still has the books if that’s what you’re after. But if you’re only thinking about dusty old novels, you’re missing a lot of stuff that actually saves people money and solves real problems.