Like many of us, I’ve been working remotely for 5+ years. I bounce around the house, grab the occasional coworking pass, post up in a coffee shop when I need a change—but the best place to work might actually be…the library.
The library?!
Absolutely.
Where else do you get reliable, free Wi-Fi, an entire space where the default setting is quiet mode, and staff who are basically the original research engines? Librarians have been running elite-level search long before we all started prompting tools.
I’ll admit I’m spoiled—Oak Park Public Library is easily in the top 1%. But 80–90% of library systems offer way more than people realize. Many include paid subscriptions that would cost a lot if you purchased them yourself: LinkedIn Learning for skill growth, Reference Solutions for building B2B lists, plus your local Business Journal, Book of Lists, and a ton of other resources.
For remote workers, libraries might be the most underrated productivity hack out there.
If you ever see me at OPPL, give me a wave—I’m always happy to step outside and chat.
