If you’re a student, you’ve probably set foot in your school’s library at some point. When was the last time you actually checked out a book, though? Or did anything else there but cram for an exam? 

Libraries are one of the most vastly under-appreciated resources on campus. There’s a whole world of tools beyond the doors of your school’s library. 

Here’s some info on how you can start taking advantage of all the library has to offer.

Check it out!

You know your library has books. You’ve probably walked past hundreds of them while trying to scope out that perfect study spot. While you may only notice old, ornate books on the shelves, libraries normally keep more recent releases in stock too. If there’s a book on your reading list, but it’s not in your budget right now, check your library first. Even if it’s not there, normally you can request it.

However, if books aren’t your cup of tea, your library likely has other items you can bring home for a bit. Most libraries have a collection of DVDs, which can come in handy if you’re searching for a title that’s not on Netflix. You can check the movie out for free! Plus, it’s a fun dose of nostalgia for the days when renting movies from Blockbuster was still the way to go. 

If you’re looking for some fashion inspiration, libraries usually have large numbers of magazines on file. You can flip through issues of Vogue to your heart’s content without having to pay a dime. Old editions of magazines and newspapers can be fun to look at if you’re a history nerd, too!

On a more unusual but slightly cuter note, some libraries let you check out dogs. Yes, you read that right. If you’re a student at Loyola University in New Orleans, you’re lucky enough to be able to check out a dog.