Do you need more reasons to get a library card? How about almost 20 reasons! Since 17 wasn’t enough, we are back with even more things you didn’t know you can do with a Christian County Library card. You already know that the library is more than just books. Our mission is to provide access to not only materials but services, experiences, entertainment and events that foster growth and fun. If you haven’t been to the library in a while, you might be surprised just how powerful that library card can be because you know what they say, “having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card.”
1. Fish the Finley River.
Check out a fishing pole and tackle box from the Ozark Community Branch and head down the hill to the river. Bring a fishing buddy or spend some solitary time relaxing, and maybe catch dinner at the same time!
2. Tackle your own vehicle maintenance.
By using the Chilton Library online tool to find step-by-step service and repair procedures, you may save time and money. There’s even a labor cost estimation calculator to help you determine what to do next. With lots of diagrams, photographs and illustrations, you’re no longer in the dark about what’s going on under the hood.
3. Carry the internet around with you.
Request a WiFi hotspot and take it home for a whole month! These hotspots can support up to ten devices and there is no cap on data, allowing the entire family to be online at the same time. You can even take it on vacation as a way to save your own data.
4. Exercise that green thumb.
Pick up seed packets at any community branch location from March 1-June 30 and see if you’ve inherited your grandma’s green thumb. Don’t worry if nothing grows, because the seeds are free. But, it might not hurt to check out a gardening book or two.
5. Learn to speak Spanish. Or Greek. Or Mandarin. Or Pirate.
Your library card grants access to Mango Languages, which offers an intuitive, conversation-based learning experience for 70 different languages. For some extra language fun, there are also courses on talking like a pirate and Shakespearean English. Mango Languages is available to use on your computer or by downloading the app. It has a rating of 4.8 from over 20,000 reviews in the app store, with users calling it the best language app they’ve ever used.
6. Personalized book recommendations.
Ready to try something new? Let our library staff choose your next favorite book. Complete the questionnaire to receive three personalized suggestions. Based on your preferences, we’ll browse the shelves and place items on hold. All you need to do is pick them up at the library! Please allow up to five days for us to find the perfect library materials.
7. Catch up on your favorite BBC series or indulge in other quality television.
From “Call the Midwife” to “Luther” to “Top Gear,” the streaming platform Hoopla has some of the best the BBC has to offer. They also have great documentaries and some popular tv shows, like the edgy sci-fi animated series Rick and Morty. Check out up to five items every month from Hoopla for free with your library card.
8. Try out the Nintendo Switch for a whole week.
Yes, the library is for gamers. The Nintendo Switch kit comes with four joy-cons and six games: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, Luigi’s Mansion 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. Game on!
9. Zhuzh up your next kiddo’s birthday party.
Visit the Nixa Community Branch to pick out one of our specialty cake pans, like the princess castle (omg!), to make the cake of your dreams. You can also check out a cake carrier, cupcake pan or bundt cake pan.
10. Listen to popular music on repeat.
Stream your new fave music through Hoopla, which has a massive selection of albums that can be checked out for a week. Browse the best 200 albums of all time, ranging from Led Zeppelin to Joni Mitchell to Marvin Gaye, all available today.
11. Dig into your family legacy.
Great news for all genealogy buffs. Browse genealogical records such as city directories, birth records, marriage records, death records, census information and more online through Ancestry. With over 200 billion images pulled from 7,000 databases, you might just find that long-lost family member.
12. Borrow board games for an epic family night.
The library has a carefully curated collection of over sixty board games available for you to take home for a week. From classics like Qwirkle to new favorites like Disney’s Villainous, you can find a game for anyone’s taste for the perfect family game night.
13. Have books delivered to you when you can’t leave home.
For individuals with a disability or an illness that limits mobility, or if you’re a caregiver to someone who is homebound, we can bring materials to your home. By joining the Homebound program, library staff will hand-select and deliver books, movies, magazines and more to your home. It’s easy to apply! Just call 417-581-2432.
14. Get your fitness on at the Nixa X Center and Aquatics Center.
Running to the library takes on a whole new meaning. We’ve partnered with Nixa Parks and Recreation to allow patrons to use their library card to check out a one-week pass to the X Center or Aquatics Center. Stop by your closest community branch location for more info.
15. Expand your workplace skills.
Udemy is an online learning platform to improve work-related skills or further develop a personal interest. Users can search through more than 4,000 on-demand video courses across 75 categories in business, technology, design and more taught by world-class instructors.
16. Print, fax and scan to your heart’s content.
Whether you’re about to file your taxes, scan a resume to send it off, or print pictures of penguins to make your bedroom as close to Antarctica as possible, stop by any of our community branches to get the job done. Scanning is free, faxing is 10 cents a page and printing is 10 cents a page for black-and-white and 25 cents a page for color.
17. Take storytimes to the next level.
Ever wished that your favorite children’s books could come to life? They do at the TumbleBooks Library! With animation, sound, music and narration, creating an interactive and fun storytime experience. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the puzzles, games and videos.
18. Find the best bang for your buck.
If you’re buying a big-ticket item like a mattress or refrigerator, there’s a lot to consider. Features, quality, price and the overall value of a product. Don’t go at it alone! With your library card and Consumer Reports, you get access to rating information and product testing.
19. Start a band.
No, we’re not kidding. You can actually check out ukuleles, cajón drums and keyboards at the library. Each musical instrument checks out for a month, with guides included on how to play! Rock on!
Don’t have a Christian County Library card yet? What are you waiting for?