Book clubs and story time? That’s a given at your local library. But how about aromatherapy 101, AARP defensive driving courses, and lectures on college admissions, health care, and résumé building? With the economy the way it is, the Westchester Library System’s 38 member libraries are a great place to look for more than a good read. What else do they offer?
Not Just Books: Why pay for Netflix and eMusic when the library’s 3.87 million items includes CDs and DVDs, which you can borrow for free?
Virtual Bliss: The library is home to more than 800 public computers, but if you want to log on from home, you can find instantly downloadable audiobooks and eBooks. Or browse online for any item you’d like, then arrange for a pick-up at your closest branch.
Knowledge! Want the basics on how to get out of debt? Need some legal advice and don’t know where to start? Thinking of renovating a home but don’t know what to do first? Firstfind will get you off to a better start than Wikipedia, pointing you towards articles on everything from adoption and foster care to successful investing.
Westchester Prep: If you loathe to shell out big bucks to an army of private tutors, the LearningExpress Library hooks you up with online practice exams and tutorials for a variety of academic and licensing tests. You’ll get instant scoring, comprehensive answer explanations, and a breakdown of how you did.
A Job-Hunting Leg-Up: These days, it doesn’t hurt to brush up a résumé. The Career & Educational Counseling Service (WEBS) offers help with résumé development, interviewing techniques, and general advice about career transitions. If you’re really in a bind and need to speak with someone one-on-one, you can make an appointment the Riverfront Library, Grinton I. Will Library, or the Mount Vernon Public Library.
Health Help: Who can understand Medicare without a little assistance? At the Yonkers Public Library the John C. Hart Memorial Library you can get one-on-one counseling about a host of health issues.
Coming to America: The online Resource Directory for Immigrants in Westchester provides immigrants working and living in Westchester access to educational, social, health, economic, cultural and other services in both Spanish and English.
Delivery Service: Can’t get to the library? If you’re homebound, many branches will bring it to you.
