 Libraries in the U.S. Library. A library is a place with many resources for people to use. At the library you can find books, magazines, and videos to borrow. Libraries also offer services like using a computer. Librarian. A librarian is a person who works at the library. Librarians have special training. A librarian can help you find and use library resources. Talk to the librarian if you need help. Materials. In a library, materials are the physical things you can use or borrow. Library materials are things like books, magazines, movies, and music. Resources. Resources are materials that have information you might need. You can use library resources to help you complete homework assignments or research a topic of your choice. Borrow. At the library you can borrow books or other materials. When you borrow something from the library you can take it home to use it, but you must return it by the due date. Due date. The due date is the date the library gives you when you borrow a book or other materials. It tells you when you must return the materials to the library. Library card. Borrowing materials from the library is free. To borrow something from the library you must have a library card so the library knows who has borrowed their materials. Check out. Check out is another name for borrowing library materials. You need a library card to borrow or check things out from the library. Services. Services are acts that a person or organization may offer to the public or to its customers. Libraries offer many free services like using the computer and checking out books. Academic. An academic library is a library that is open to anyone who attends or works at a college. Academic means having to do with a college or university. Public. Public means having to do with people as a whole. A public library is a library that is open to everyone who lives in the community. Branches. Public libraries are organized in branches. A branch is a building that belongs to an organization. Typically, there is one main library with several smaller library branches. The end.