Your Global Staycation

from Library Now Magazine Issue 8 2022

Inspiration for Writers

Pack your bag (your library bag, that is) and prepare for adventure! Even if international travel isn’t on your horizon right now, with a few Library System resources and a dash of creativity, you can explore the globe without leaving your home.

Begin your travel-from-home experience by choosing a destination and finding general information about it to help you get your bearings.

Travel guides available on the shelf or online are great places to start. Use these resources to learn about the cultural, traditions, language, art, pastimes, and landmarks of your destination.

Splendid vistas, fascinating landmarks, and unique art and cultural experiences are highlights of international travel. Videos, photo galleries, and virtual online experiences can help you bring this part of travel home with you. Check out a travel special DVD or stream a travel documentary through Hoopla to get started. For an even more up-close experience, check some of your favorite attractions from your travel guide to see if they have a virtual tour available online. Virtual experiences have become increasingly common in the past few years, so you may be surprised by the variety you’ll find!

Your jet-setting-from-home experience is a learning opportunity too! While you're enjoying your destination's flavorful cuisine, striking views, and fascinating literature, enhance your experience with language learning. Start with the conversational phrases you'd normally need for travel and practice with your travel companions. There are online Library System offerings to help you practice the basics for your at-home travel experience and can also guide you to higher levels of fluency.

Learning languages, reading, touring virtually, and cooking are just a few of the ways you can make a travel-from-home experience your own. Be as creative as you like, and enjoy exploring your world!

Armchair Adventures

Visit greenvillelibrary.org/learning-research to explore a destination from home with these online library resources—free with your library card.

A TOZ World Travel • Pick a city and “go!”

CultureGrams • Listen to interviews with residents, and watch videos about local landmarks, music, dance, sports, and more.

Global Road Warrior • Explore topics including music, religion, history, geography, and more.

Mango Languages • Choose from over 70 languages to study.

Download & Stream

Enjoy ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and music from homeat greenvillelibrary.org/download-stream.

Hoopla • Download and stream books, movies, and music in a variety of languages.

Libby • Find offerings in multiple languages.

Global Kitchen

Bring your destination’s unique dishes to your table, because no journey is complete without experiencing the local cuisine. Challenge yourself to prepare as many dishes as you can for a weekend or for a whole week-long staycation. If you would like your travel to include going out, try finding some local restaurants that specialize in cuisine from your chosen country.