Library card is important renovation tool

Time for home renovations? Your library card can be an important tool

written by SARAH NADEAU

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS LIBRARIAN

WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY

If your list of potential home projects is getting longer and longer, it might be time to visit the library. That’s right – your local public library is, as always, ready to help.

Whether you’re painting the dining room or changing some fixtures, home-improvement resources are available on the shelves and online with e-library services so you can quickly find the information you need to check projects off that list.

Washington County Free Library’s catalog of materials is available at washcolibrary.org so you can peruse the shelves to find great reads and information anywhere, anytime. Home-improvement encyclopedias, do-it-yourself and cost-estimator guides, and books with household hacks and organizer tips are great places to start.

There’s no need to watch paint dry if you can instantly download e-books, e-audiobooks and digital magazines on Libby. Search for Washington County Free Library and sign in with your library card number to access more great resources, such as the latest issues of HGTV Magazine, Family Handyman, Country Living, House Decor and more. You’ll be up-to-date on all the latest styles and tips in no time. Our e-library service Hoopla has even more great options for your home-improvement needs.

Databases are another option for accurate information about a variety of projects. The Gale OneFile: Home Improvement database features a topic finder to help when you aren’t quite sure about what information you need. Enter a topic, such as “refinishing deck,” and select from tiles of specific subjects related to your search (“architecture,” “stains,” “repair”) until you find detailed and useful information. Gale OneFile: Gardening and Horticulture might be useful for curb appeal or sustainable gardening projects.

Library staff members are always happy to help you, including providing assistance researching reputable companies and services if you’re not up for every DIY challenge. Be sure to check in with Washington County Free Library, where people and possibilities meet, for one of the most important tools you can own: a library card. — Places