Take the Library on the Road

By Josh Mosey | Digital Marketing Strategist

Need a vacation from your vacation prepping? We hear you.

Whether you are driving, flying or hiking to your home away from home, the library is here for your trip. Use our handy checklist below to make sure you have everything you need for a successful vacation.

Don’t forget to:

1.) Pack Some Clothes – Most establishments require shirts and shoes at the least. Find the most stylish library clothes and accessories at ShopKDL.org. 

2.) Understand the Culture – Access the CultureGrams database with your KDL card to learn about the daily life, customs and lifestyles of the world’s people. Individual reports cover 200+ countries, all 50 United States and the Canadian Provinces.

3.) Take Photos – Don’t have a camera? Our Beyond Books Collection has GoPro cameras available to check out!

4.) Learn the Language – KDL offers Mango Languages and Rosetta Stone free to anyone with a KDL card so you can ask for directions in any language (including Pirate!).* 

5.) Build your Vacation Playlist – With services like KDL Vibes and Freegal Music+, you can download (for keeps) the jams that will forever be part of
your vacation experience.

6.) Print Your Tickets/Maps – Use the library’s free printing service to print up to 50 pages of your tickets, itineraries and back-up maps for when your GPS inevitably dies in the middle of nowhere.

7.) Go Beyond Books – KDL has portable tire inflators, extra camping gear, birdwatching backpacks, metal detectors, trekking poles and more available for checkout. 

8.) Find Discounted Experiences – You’re probably already familiar with KDL’s PerkPass program for free tickets to area attractions and experiences, but did you know your library card gives you access to the Michigan Activity Pass program too? Find discounts to cultural destinations, parks, campgrounds and recreation areas across Michigan. 

9.) Pack an Audiobook – With Libby and Hoopla, you can get some reading done while you travel, no physical book required. Bringing kids along? Family audiobooks are a great way to help the littles forget to ask, “Are we there yet?” 

10.) Grab a Book or Two (or Fifty) – Oh yeah, we have physical books too. Need a beach read? We’ve got you covered. Just try to keep the sand out of the pages.** Need something quick for your next flight out of GRR? Stop by the KDL Airport Little Free Library. 

Wherever you go this summer, bring the library with you to make all the best memories.

Bon voyage!

*KDL does not endorse vacations to destinations where patrons might encounter Pirates.
**Seriously, sandy pages are a downer for us.