Make a Pit Stop at the Library Before Your Next Vacation  

Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library 

In the words of the chronically online, nothing beats a Jet2Holiday. If you missed that TikTok trend, no worries: Summer vacation season is still in full swing (and your brain thanks you for limited screentime).  

Whether you’re jetting off to another country, staying stateside, or taking a day trip, make a pit stop at the Library for all your vacay-planning needs.  

The below video is a great place to start but keep reading for a brief how-to guide.  

Passport Services

If you’re traveling abroad, you’re going to need a passport. The Anderson Branch, Downtown Main Library, Harrison Branch, and Symmes Township Branch all offer appointment-only passport services. Contact your preferred branch to set up an appointment, which will take at least 30 minutes per person.  

Make sure to visit the Library’s passport services webpage for everything you need to bring to the appointment, including a completed DS-11 application, proof of U.S. citizenship, proof of identity, social security number, a passport photo, and fees.  

Please note that the Library does not provide photo services. Applicants must bring their own 2”x 2” photo.  

Brush Up on Language Skills 

While we can’t guarantee you’ll be fluent in a new language by the time you take off, Transparent Language Online is a great place to learn the basics. Teach yourself over 100 languages from Afrikaans to Zulu. All you need is a Library card! 

Secure Your Reading List

For some of us, the best way to unwind is by the beach, snug in a hammock, or sprawled by a campsite with a good book in hand. Or maybe you need entertainment for the flight or drive to your destination. Either way, eBooks and eAudiobooks are perfect for light packers.  

Use the Libby app to load up your smart device or eReader, which gives  you access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and read-along books.  

Of course, if you want to stuff your suitcase with physical books from our collection, we’ve got those, too. No judgement here! 

Pick Up a Travel Guide  

Check out travel guides from the Library to help you plan or to supplement your trip. After all, what’s more fun than touring historical or cultural places and then reading about them afterward?  

The library has a large collection of travel guides! Whether you’re headed to Scotland or trying to pick your next National Park visit, there’s something for every aspiring tourist.  

Reminder: All our branches have free, public Wi-Fi and computers (desktop or laptop), making it a great place to gather your cohort and hash out your itinerary.  

Flying Out of CVG? Drop by the Airport Library 

If you have downtime before your flight out of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, make sure to stop by Concourse B to grab a book for your trip! Over 1,000 books are available, thanks to a partnership with CHPL, Kenton County Public Library, Boone County Public Library, and Campbell County Public Library.  

Staying Put? Explore Cincinnati

Being a tourist in your own city can be just as rewarding. Soak up Cincinnati’s historical, artistic, and cultural attractions with Discovery Pass! All you need to make a reservation is your Library card. Partners include Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, American Sign Museum, White Water Shaker Village, and more.  

Happy traveling!