As the economy sours and people keep credit cards tucked safely in their wallets, there's one piece of plastic that's still getting used -- the library card.

Troubled times are boom times for public libraries, which report a surge in borrowing, especially for items with short shelf lives, such as CDs, DVDs and children's board books, says Andrew Shaw, spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Library.

Looking to stay relevant in the digital age, libraries have found new ways to engage and serve the public. The end goal hasn't changed. Libraries still exist to foster a healthy democracy by giving people the information they need to navigate their world.

But the tools for delivering information have changed. Visit your local Utah library and you'll still find a warm place to study and chill. You'll still see shelves of print artifacts (aka books).

But if that's all you seek, you haven't tapped your library's true potential. Here are a few services that might surprise you.

Cheap entertainment » Libraries are a virtual treasure trove of cheap entertainment. For toddlers, there are puppet shows, yo-yo demonstrations and storytimes. Teens can take free seminars to improve their video gaming skills while Mom and Dad sit through D.I.Y. home improvement seminars and workshops on getting organized. Some libraries dispense monthly allotments of discounted or free admission cards to arts venues and museums. And they carry growing collections of CDs, DVD's and audiobooks. Patrons can also now download audiobooks to their home computer or mp3 player.

Town hall » In line with their "community building" mission, libraries serve as venues for all manner of functions, from weddings and book clubs to "town hall" meetings with your local legislator and drug recovery support groups. Some of the meeting rooms can be reserved for free. Affordable rental and service fees may apply for conferences, large events and after-hours functions. Most library Web sites function as virtual networks where experts list their top 10 fiction lists along with links to resources for struggling readers.

Advancing careers » Libraries are also a great resource for job seekers. There you'll find computers and seminars on honing your interview skills and beefing up that resume. There are endless computer workshops on topics as basic as using your mouse to building complex spreadsheets and business presentations.

Databases and online resources » Google and Wikipedia have eclipsed traditional print reference material. But libraries offer free access to pricier, commercial databases like Factiva and Morningstar, which provide research and ratings on businesses and stocks. There are search engines to help you find legal forms, grant money and archived newspaper articles. Want to know how much those Reggie Jackson baseball cards are worth? There's a database for that. Visit the auto repair center to discover which part you need to get your 1986 Geo Metro running. Or go to Mango Languages for free online language lessons. Among the latest is a powerful tool to help entrepreneurs research the best location for their new venture. Called BusinessDecision, it combines consumer trends data, population forecasts and mapping technology to deliver geographically precise, "on the fly" market analyses.