In the early nineties, fresh back from Zimbabwe and living on my own in the North End, I spend a lot of time in the Boston Public Library researching jobs and keeping warm in the winter. Until sometime last year, I seem to have forgotten that the library even exists. But here are the great things about the (Somerville) library, especially in its 21st-century, internet-enabled form:

1. The catalog is searchable online
2. Any books that aren’t available in your local library, can be “requested” through the Minuteman Library Network (usual order time is 1-2 weeks) and picked up at the location of your choosing.
3. Books that aren’t on the Minuteman Library Network can be ordered through the “Virtual Catalog”, encompassing many more libraries (usual lead time, a bit longer), such that I, at least, have been able to get almost every book I’ve needed.
4. And all this for FREE with a library card.
5. In addition, you can check the status of check-out books (and requested books) online, renew online (up to three times) etc.
6. All of the above also applies to children’s books and CDs. Hooray!