School is back in session! As you navigate new schedules, classes, and supply lists, remember that your library is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking academic support or somewhere to decompress, let the library become your third space, and ease into a new school year. Read on for our top five reasons a library card is your number one school supply.
If you haven’t already, you can register for your number one school supply at a library near you. With a library card, you have access to all of the following—and more—for free!
- Homework Help through Tutor.com – Feel confident heading into the new school year with Tutor.com. The robust Tutor.com platform provides students in kindergarten through early college with access to live tutors, homework help, practice quizzes, feedback on writing assignments, SAT/ACT prep, and much more.
- Books + Research Databases – Check out books from our collection and browse the library’s online databases to find reliable sources for research assignments. Explora Public Libraries, Gale in Context: Elementary, and Biography in Context are great places to start finding information on your next research topic.
- Study Rooms – Need a place to study, meet for a group project, or just take a moment for yourself? See what spaces are available at the library and reserve a room with your library card. HCPL aims to provide different spaces for different needs. In addition to study rooms, you’ll find designated Quiet Reading rooms and collaborative zones at several of our locations.
- Digital Media Labs – Visit one of our five Digital Media Labs and get that school project off the ground:
- Record a podcast
- Film a video
- 3D-print a prototype
- Design a logo
- Edit photos
- And more!
You can drop in during Open Lab Hours to use digitization equipment and specialized Adobe Creative Cloud software, or you can reserve the lab if you’re working on a photo, video, or audio recording project. Interested in 3D printing? Try submitting files through our 3D printing service. Not sure where to begin? Call, visit, or use the green Ask a Librarian tab on our website to speak with library staff about your specific project.
- Programs – Actually, this one doesn’t even require a library card! With hundreds of free programs offered throughout the year, students can learn, de-stress, and connect with their peers beyond the school day. Pick up a copy of our latest Program Guide or browse our online calendar for a full list of upcoming programs.
HCPL wishes everyone a wonderful start to the 2026-2027 school year!