Your Library, Available Wherever You Are

Free online resources with your library card

On a weeknight in the Twin Cities, a middle school student logs in for math help after dinner. Across town, a parent reviews job training modules once the house is quiet. Someone else scrolls through the day’s newspaper headlines on their phone during a bus ride home. Another person pulls up step-by-step car repair instructions before heading to the garage.

None of them are inside a library.

But all of them are using one.

With a free library card, residents across the metro area already have access to online tutoring, eBooks and audiobooks, newspapers, job training tools, language learning programs, practical databases, and more — all available from home. MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency) is working to make sure more Minnesotans know these digital resources exist through Library at Home.

The idea is simple: the library doesn’t close when the doors do.

Learning That Fits Real Life

Many Twin Cities students have experienced attendance disruptions in 2026, leading to concerns about keeping up in school.   With a library card, students can connect to free online tutoring and academic support 24/7 in both Spanish and English from their own homes thanks to Brainfuse HelpNow.

Libby is a free app offering eBooks, Audiobooks, and more in a variety of languages.  There are eBooks and audiobooks for all ages, including young readers, available instantly. For teens, these digital resources can support research projects and independent reading.

For families managing work schedules, transportation challenges, safety concerns, or other challenges, having learning tools accessible from a phone, tablet, or laptop can make a meaningful difference.

Supporting Work and Economic Opportunity

The library’s digital resources are not only for students.

Adults can access career training courses, certification prep, resume builders, and interview coaching platforms. These services allow users to develop skills in fields such as technology, health care, business, and skilled trades — often at no cost and on flexible timelines.

For someone exploring a new career path or preparing for advancement, that flexibility matters. Learning can happen after a shift ends, during a child’s nap time, or on a weekend afternoon.

Library card holders can also read local and national newspapers online, helping them stay informed about policy changes, employment trends, and community news.

Practical Help, Every Day

Many Minnesotans are surprised to learn that their library card unlocks more than books.

Trusted auto repair databases provide detailed guidance that would otherwise require a paid subscription. Language learning tools support English learners as well as residents interested in learning a new language for work, school, or personal growth.

One of the newer digital resources is Craft & Hobby,  a resource with in-depth online instructional videos and classes that span more than 20 creative categories  including painting, woodworking, fitness, cooking, gardening, and more. 

These services are already funded through public investment in libraries. MELSA.org/Library-at-Home helps connect residents to the tools that are waiting for them.

Meeting Communities Where They Are

In recent years, daily routines have shifted for many families. Work schedules are less predictable. School formats continue to evolve. Some residents may be limiting travel for personal or safety reasons. Others simply find it easier to access services from home.

Library at Home does not represent a new program or additional spending. It a collection of digital resources designed to increase awareness and ease of access.

Life doesn’t always happen on a schedule — and access to learning shouldn’t depend on one.

Getting Started

Signing up for a library card is free for residents of the Twin Cities metro area. Once registered, cardholders can explore digital resources through their local library’s website or visit melsa.org/library-at-home to learn more.

Local library staff remain available to help residents navigate online tools, whether in person, by phone, or virtually.

Public libraries have long served as welcoming spaces for Minnesota’s diverse communities. Library at Home extends that welcome beyond library walls.

Your library is still here for you.

Now, it’s wherever you are.