You're listening to life kit from NPR.
Hey, everybody, it's Marielle.
All right, so I don't know if y'all are fans of the kids tv show Arthur, but there's a song from that show that feels like the only way to open this episode.
In the scene, Arthur Reid, who's kind of like a nerdy aardvark, is walking with purpose, flanked by two friends.
They have library cards in their hands.
Come on inside.
We've got everything you need.
There's plenty to do.
Or you could just sit and read.
Yeah, it's a jam.
The song goes on to talk about the many things you can do at the public library, like learn about outer space, learn to make a paper plane, or deep dive into a historical text.
Michael Threez is a librarian in California, and he liked this song so much that he got Arthur's library card tattooed on his arm.
People always ask me if the barcode actually can scan, and I'm always dismayed to say that it does not.
I didn't think to get my own library card number on it.
I saw a picture of Arthur's library card, and I was like, I need that forever.
Best part about the song is it's all true.
There are so many things you can do at the library.
Borrow books and supplies and tools, use machines, take free classes, hear live music, and save a lot of money.
Akilah Bhatt is also a librarian, and at her library in Texas, they tell people on the receipt how much they saved by borrowing.
Instead of buying those books at checkout.