Your Library Card Does A Lot More Than You Think

My recent obsession with Love Story (which I’ve made many a mention of in this newsletter) had me thoroughly transfixed by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s flawless wardrobe.

So I was thrilled to stumble upon the stunning pictorial CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion while perusing Barnes & Noble and promptly added it to my cart—until my husband balked at the $65 price tag, that is. (To be fair, it would have been the seventh book I’d purchased about Carolyn and JFK Jr. since the series started.)

I reluctantly returned it to the shelf and searched the online catalogs of our local libraries for a copy to borrow, but came up empty.

Enter Link+, which I learned about thanks to Shannon Vonnegut, Director of Library Services at the Palm Desert Library, during my third Palm Desert Civic Academy session. Prior to her presentation, I had yet to really explore the library and all that it has to offer—which is surprising, considering my love of reading. But the Palm Desert Library does so much more than just lend books. (Bonus – you don’t have to live within city limits to secure a card.)

Read on to learn how I snagged a copy of CBK with Link+, plus four other things you probably didn’t know you could do with your Palm Desert Library card.

XO, Lindsay

LINK+ Borrow Beyond Your Local Library

Link+ extends your borrowing power beyond Palm Desert, giving cardholders access to millions of books, ebooks, and other materials from libraries throughout California. Pretty much the second Shannon’s presentation was over, I logged onto Link+ to search its catalog and, sure enough, a library in San Francisco had a copy of CBKin stock! A few clicks later, it was on its way to Palm Desert, and within days I had it in my hands. Checkout and return were just as easy, and the book was every bit as good as I’d hoped. If you’ve ever searched for a title your local library doesn’t carry (and you’re married to a Grim Cheaper like I am!), Link+ is a total game changer.

LIBBY Audiobooks on the Go

I’ve always preferred physical books to audiobooks and e-books. (The smell of the pages! The feel of a hardback in my hands!) The one exception? Celebrity memoirs—especially when they’re narrated by the celebrities themselves. Those are absolutely meant to be heard and not seen. Thankfully, the Palm Desert Library offers a hefty catalog of them, along with countless other audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines via the Libby app—all free with your library card. I recently borrowed I’m Glad My Mom Died, actress Jennette McCurdy’s bestselling memoir that had long been on my to-listen list. The checkout process was incredibly simple, and I’ve already started a list of future titles to queue up.

LIBRARY OF THINGS Borrow the Unexpected

Palm Desert Library is not just for book lovers! It also boasts a Library of Things filled with unique items you can check out. Looking for games to play with the family? They’ve got plenty. Puzzles? Check. Sports equipment? You got it! Also on loan are LEGO kits, air quality detectors, sewing machines, hiking backpacks, electronics, toys, and even blood pressure monitors. The latter are made available through the American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart program, which helps expand access to at-home heart health monitoring and education. Who knew a library card could unlock so much?

ZIP BOOKS Delivered to Your Door

Yet another option for those hoping to get their hands on a book not stocked locally, Palm Desert Library offers a truly innovative program called Zip Books. Cardholders can request eligible titles, which are then purchased through Amazon and shipped directly to their homes. It’s also a wonderful option for anyone who is housebound or simply prefers the convenience of home delivery. Once you’re finished, simply return the book to the library, where it becomes part of the collection for others to enjoy. Each cardholder can make two Zip Book requests per month—bringing the library right to you.

BOOK CLUB KITS Ready to Run Book Clubs

Always wanted to be part of a book club but unsure how to get started—or put off by the cost of buying a new title each month? The Palm Desert Library takes care of all of that with its free Book Club Kits. Each one includes 10 copies of the same selection (with more than 15 titles to choose from), along with a discussion guide and handbook for hosting your own group. Everything is packaged together, so you can simply pick up a kit and get on your way. It takes all the friction out of gathering a group—no tracking down copies, no coordinating purchases, just an easy way to read and discuss the same story together. I noticed “The Library Book” while perusing the available selections and was so intrigued, it went straight onto my reading list!

Thanks for reading…

I hope this issue inspires you to dust off your library card (or sign up for one) and make the most of everything the Palm Desert Library has to offer—from borrowing your next great read to checking out a sewing machine to finally starting that book club you’ve been talking about.

And don’t forget, if you’re buying or selling a home in Palm Desert—or anywhere in the Coachella Valley—I’m just a phone call or email away.