Grandmother Dora Harrington, my only grandparent who lived long enough to be a major influence in my life, asked me once: “How would you like to visit a place where you can get everything you ever wanted for free? Go clean out a closet!”
Now I’m going to ask a similar question. “Where can you go in Las Vegas to get free movies, free classes, free home access to online courses (from well-respected national sources), free art shows, free jazz/classical/folk concerts, free wifi, free Internet access to national newspapers and magazines, free audiobooks, and free streaming music?”
Still wondering? Here’s one more clue: They also loan out free books.
I’m talking about the Las Vegas-Clark County Library system, probably the most underutilized free asset in Las Vegas — and I count myself among the guilty. For years, several friends, especially Bob Dancer, would sing the praises of using the local library (“much cheaper than Barnes & Noble, plus you don’t have to store the books afterwards”), but I never really checked it out until recently. A few months ago, I visited my local branch (West Charleston) for the first time and got a library card, plus picked up a very attractive brochure on their upcoming art exhibits and concerts.
Last week, I was talking to my CDC Gaming Reports tech team about locating a good resource so I could bring myself further up to speed on website tech issues — not to handle the tech myself, just to have a rough idea what they are talking about. Associate Publisher Cory Roberts suggested courses on Lynda.com, which was immediately followed by a comment (complete with link) from Associate Editor Justin Martin that I get those courses free via my Las Vegas library card. Sweet!
The Las Vegas Clark County Library system has 14 “urban libraries” scattered across Las Vegas and 11 more “outlying libraries” throughout the rest of the county, including Indian Springs, Laughlin, and Mesquite. Urban branches are open seven days a week; days and hours vary for the outlying branches. (Please note: Henderson, Boulder City, and North Las Vegas have their own library systems. Pahrump is located in Nye County.)
According to the Library’s website, over 5,100 live events (including classes, art exhibitions, and concerts, all types for all ages) will take place in at least one of the branches throughout the year. All are free, many are “drop in,” and some require registration.
I’ll save the best for last (at least for me). Over the past few years, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District has expanded member access to several online e-Resources, including entertainment, life-long learning, computer-skill classes, test-prep classes, state databases — you name it. It will take hours just to fully discover what all is there.
But as with a casino, you need a library card as well as an online account to fully get the freebies. All of this can be done online, but I recommend that you visit the closest branch. You too might discover a new favorite place.
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The branches vary in quality. You want to avoid the downtown branch because of all the homeless. The Flamingo branch at Maryland has, for some reason, been reducing their inventory of books and is kind of a mouse maze, but it’s the best place for study cubicles/desks that have electrical outlets and lights. The West Charleston branch (near the college) probably has the most extensive and well organized book collection. The nicest one overall IMHO is the one waaaay out on West Sahara, beyond The Lakes.
The Flamingo/Maryland branch has a large collection of old gaming books. Virtually nothing is current and therefore not much is useful, but it’s an interesting way to spend an afternoon waxing nostalgic about the days when it was actually possible to beat the casinos. That’s one way I kill some time when it’s 800 degrees outside and birds are bursting into flame in midair.
And the library doesn’t charge a resort fee!
Yet.
And they don’t charge for parking…
We have a great library in Boulder City. Independent, but still part of the CC system, so you have access to all the perks. And a nice little amphitheater out front features entertainment several times each year.
Can I get a beer there?