Calling all San Antonio Public Library prose — before you book it to your branch, read up on some SAPL features you might not be taking full advantage of. Pro tip: Don’t have your library card yet? Sign up now.
For the artsy San Antonian
- Art Gallery | On the first floor of the Central Library, you can browse free exhibitions featuring local artists and community partners.
- Craftsy | One of the library’s digital offerings, Craftsy gives you access to over 1,000 instructional video classes with downloadable materials that support the lesson.
For the busy bee
- Fitness stations | If traditional gyms aren’t your style, you can work your body and your mind at one of nine branches. Plus, the kiddos can get out their energy at eight branch playgrounds.
- Events | Bookmark the calendar for free weekly happenings that can be broken down by audience groups, from kids and teens to adults and older adults.
For the music and movie buffs
- Kanopy | The streaming service offers movies, documentaries, and kid-friendly favorites. Each month, your library card gets you seven film credits and one Great Course credit to watch videos.
- Catalog | In addition to audiobooks, books, and magazines, your library card allows you to check out a collection of CDs and vinyls.
For the curious mind
- Texana/Genealogy Department | Staff can assist researchers with navigating the collection of records, plus the department hosts related programs and events.
- Active learning resources | External platforms allow library patrons to continue their education through courses in their specialized industry, tackling a new language, or understanding how to make informed financial decisions.
Rapid-fire tips
- An enhanced library card offers the same benefits as a typical SAPL card, but its design includes a user’s name, photo, and address. It can serve as a supplementary proof of identity in some cases.
- Running into pesky paywalls? Using your library card, you can access digital newspapers like the Wall Street Journal and San Antonio Express-News.
