Like many Canberrans, you may have entered 2024 with a goal of learning something new or developing a skill.

Or perhaps you're looking for a way to save some dollars.

Maybe you've got the kids at home and you're running out of ways to keep them busy.

Or, you've watched just about everything and are looking for something fresh.

Enter our hero: your Libraries ACT card.

You already know that your membership allows you to borrow physical books (not to mention, films, music and magazines). However, you may not be aware that it also includes a range of digital resources you can access for free from your home.

Here's how to make the most of your library membership.

Get crafty

Creativebug is an online platform with thousands of award-winning art and craft video classes.

Learn to draw, create an accordion book, knit a pair of socks… the choices are endless. There are classes for kids and adults across topics like food and home, jewellery, art and design and paper.

Take a one-off class on a rainy day or start a 30-day creative challenge.

On-demand video classes mean you can take it at your own pace and create something special that matches your interest.

Go exploring

Check out a mangrove forest in Brazil or venture to an ancient cypress forest in central Florida – all without leaving your front door.

Your library membership gives you online access to National Geographic magazine (plus National Geographic History, National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic Kids).

There are more than 1,600 issues to explore. Each has breathtaking photography and high-quality journalism that's sure to fill you with a sense of wonder.

The Nat Geo kids section also has videos, pictures and e-books.

Learn a language

Libraries ACT members have free access to Mango, a language learning platform with over 70 languages available.

There's also LOTE4kids, where children can read books in languages other than English.

It's not just international languages, either. Those learning English can access programs that can help with pronunciation, reading skills, writing and grammar.

There's also Learn to IELTS to help people who are planning to take the International English Language Testing System.

Enjoy story time

If you've ever been to Giggle & Wiggle or Story Time at your local library, you'll know just how popular these programs are with kids.

Luckily, both are available to watch on demand. Giggle and Wiggle is for children 0-2 years of age and their parents. It includes singing, dancing and sharing rhymes while boosting language development.

Story Time helps children learn pre-reading, listening and language skills.

Story Box Library is another free digital resource.

It's a place for pre-school through to upper primary-aged children to watch stories read aloud by storytellers.

Watch a movie or show

Your membership includes access to Kanopy, a streaming service with over 45,000 films and TV series.

There's something for every kind of viewer, including indie films, animation, world cinema, documentaries, classic films, new releases and series from BBC.

Kanopy Kids is the children’s version, with unlimited plays of enriching, educational and entertaining movies and shows.

Beamafilm is another streaming platform for movie lovers.

Libraries ACT members get eight movies or episodes per calendar month. This includes international cinema and Australasian stories.

Other digital resources include music streaming, newspapers and news, book recommendations, family history databases, games and activities, encyclopedias and much, much more.

Discover the full list of digital resources available with your Libraries ACT membership.