February is National Library Month, which is a great time for seniors to check out their local libraries if they haven't already. Libraries are great for those who love to read or learn, and modern public library systems have robust benefits that include computer networks, ebook borrowing and music and movie options.
The Phoenix public library system has numerous benefits for people of all ages. Here are just a few services and benefits seniors can enjoy when they get a free library card.
With a card, you can check out books, movies and CDs. You can take out 10 DVDs or CDs at a time and up to 35 total items, allowing you to come back to your assisted living apartment with a miniature library of your own.
Most items, not including magazines, have a loan period of 21 days. You can also renew your items via phone or online if no one else has a hold on them. Because you can renew up to six times and take advantage of auto renew, you have plenty of time to enjoy your materials. This also makes it easy for residents who rely on community travel arrangements to make it back to the library in a timely fashion to return materials.
You can browse the entire collection of materials (which spans 17 library branch locations) from a single location or online and put a hold on certain books or movies. When the materials are available, they are transported to your library of choice so you can pick them up.
Seniors can also take advantage of computer and technology classes, book clubs, lectures and even author appearances at local libraries. Many of these services are provided for free to library patrons.
Seniors living at Bethesda Gardens in Phoenix actually have several ways to tap into the benefits of libraries.
First, the community has its own library and reading program. That means between trips to the local public libraries, you have easy access to plenty of books and materials.
The Phoenix library system offers 17 locations, and the Desert Broom Library is less than 20 minutes away on N. Cave Creek Road. This branch is closed on Mondays and Sundays. Seniors can visit it on Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you're interested in enjoying the benefits of a library — whether it's the one on site or the Phoenix public library — but you're not sure where to start, talk to the Bethesda Gardens staff today for assistance.
