Top 5+ perks/freebies you may not know a Cincinnati library card offers

There's more to a library card than just checking out books.

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library offers a plethora of activities, services and events for young children and adults. According to the library, more than 395,000 residents are library cardholders, with access to the county's 41 library locations.

Whether you're a bibliophile, looking to start a new hobby or you're doing research, there are numerous benefits to having a library card, such as free admission to Cincinnati attractions, meals, services and more.

Here's a list of everything a library card can do for you.

Visit these 15 Cincinnati attractions for free

The library's Discovery Pass allows cardholders to visit their favorite arts, cultural and recreation attractions in Hamilton County for free. After obtaining a library card, users can log in for a Discovery Pass and make a reservation for their desired attraction.

Here are the 15 attractions library cardholders can visit:

• Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills.
• Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown.
• Norwood Recreation Center, 2039 Sherman Ave., Norwood.
• White Water Shaker Village, 11813 Oxford Road, Harrison.
• Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Road, Evendale.
• The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, 1301 Western Ave., Lower Price Hill/Queensgate.
• Cincinnati Observatory, 3489 Observatory Place, Hyde Park.
• Heritage Village Museum, 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville.
• Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown.
• Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton.
• The Harriet Beecher Stowe House, 2950 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills.
• Great Parks, multiple locations.
• Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Lower Price Hill/Queensgate.
• Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills.
• American Sign Museum, 1330 Monmouth Ave., Camp Washington.

Free meals and snacks for kids and teens

The Cincinnati & Hamilton Public Library is partnered with the UMC Food Ministry to bring free meals and snacks to children and teenagers as part of its commitment to "provide discovery without barriers," according to the library's website.

Meals and snacks are available Monday through Friday, but select branches serve food Saturdays. Participants must eat at the library. The library also has an afterschool meal program for kids and teens at select library locations.

All children aged 1-18 are eligible to receive free meals. Individuals aged 19-21 who have been identified as having mental or physical disabilities and are following Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) through their current enrollment in educational programs are also eligible for free meals. 

Stream over 3,000 movies, documentaries and more

Families play at the gaming area in the Forest Park branch of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.

It's not just about reading. Library cardholders can stream over 3,000 videos, documentaries, foreign and indie films, classic cinema, shorts, educational videos and children's programming. Aside from streaming services, the library has physical media, such as CDs and DVDs, for guests to check out.

Here are all the streaming and digital services that come with a library card:

eBooks and eAudiobooks:

• Libby
• Hoopla
• Freading

Streaming and downloadable music

• Freegal Music
• Hoopla

eMagazines

• Flipster
• Libby

Streaming movies and more

• Kanpoy
• Hoopla

eLearning

• Homework HelpNow
• Transparent Language Online
• LinkedIn Learning
• Scholastic Bookflix

Other free library apps and digital resources include Tumblebooks, World Book Early World of Learning, Scholastic Bookflix, ABCmouse and Overdrive Kids.

The Cheviot branch of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Library.

Use the library's 3D printer, laser cutter and other tools

The library is a great place for creative minds, thanks to its various machines, printers, cutters and other tools. Whether you're tackling a DIY project or making something for your classroom, the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library has plenty of tools.

Here are the various tools the library offers to cardholders:

(Note: Not every Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library branch has the same machines. Check chpl.org to see which machines are at the branch closest to you.)

• 3D printers: The printer is free to use. The only cost is for materials. Visit chpl.org for pricing.
• Audio recording station: Record a song, create a commercial or record a podcast for free. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Button makers: Design and create your own buttons, keychains, magnets and more for free. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Cutting machines: The library's cutting machines can cut a variety of materials, including vinyl and cardstock. The machine is free to use, but the library sells vinyl for $1 per square foot if you don't have your own. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Digital creation stations: The library offers a wide variety of specialized software for creative digital design, such as video editing, music mixing, graphic and web design and more. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Direct-to-garment printer: The Forest Park branch's direct-to-garment printer can print a large number of items with full customization from T-shirts to hoodies, tote bags and more. Visit chpl.org for pricing.
• Ellison machine: Make flashcards for your classroom, decorate a nursery, cut out your own holiday decorations, create signs for your next big party and add life to your school projects. All you need is craft paper. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Embroidery machine: The library's embroidery machines can stitch on a variety of items, including clothing, bags, towels and other personal items. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Espresso book machine: This machine automatically prints, binds and trims (on demand, at point of sale) perfectly bound, retail quality paperback books. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Large-format scanner: The library's IQ Flex scanner features a maximum standard sheet size of 24 x 18 inches, with the ability to scan images up to double that size thanks to its stitching capability. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Laser cutter/engraver: Burning, cutting and etching on a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic and glass, can all be done using the library's popular laser engraver. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Media conversation station: Convert VHS tapes, cassettes, vinyl records, film negatives, slides, photos and documents to digital files. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Photography/video station: The photography station contains everything users need to produce webcasts, commercials, short films, YouTube videos, promotional videos and how-to guides. It also features a green screen. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Sewing station: From simple stitching to fashion design, the library's sewing machines allow you to do it all. The sewing station includes a dress form, cutting tables and mats to make quick work of cutting patterns or quilt pieces. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• UV printer: Use this printer to print images directly on a variety of materials, including paper, foam board, wood, glass, aluminum, many types of plastics and much more. Visit chpl.org for more details.
• Vinyl printer/cutter: Create banners, bumper stickers, pictures, decals and window clings with the library's vinyl printer and cutter. Visit chpl.org for more details.

Take up knitting or a new hobby

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Library offers free knitting and other creative tutorials to cardholders. The library also offers detailed how-to instructions for "virtually every hobby," such as home and gardening, collecting, science, technology and more.

Does it cost money to get a library card?

Children play with legos in one of the multi-purpose rooms at the Forest Park branch of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.

No, library cards are free to individuals of any age.

How to sign up for a Cincinnati & Hamilton County Library card

Individuals can sign up for a library card at any Cincinnati & Hamilton County Library branch or online, as long as they meet any of the following criteria:

• You are a resident of the state of Ohio.
• You are associated with a member of an Ohio regional library system as a cardholder from a member library.
• You are a temporary/transitional resident of Hamilton County.
• You are a property owner in Hamilton County.
• You are a resident of Boone, Campbell or Kenton County in Kentucky with a valid library card from your local library.