CARY, N.C. — Libraries have many travel resources that help people decide where to go and how to get there. Many people don’t realize how library books might be the key to planning their next trip.
- Libraries have many travel resources that can help plan your next trip
- The travel sections include maps, planning guides and travel memoirs
- Wake County libraries are hosting an upcoming Travel Smart series starting February 22
Heidi Barry-Rodriguez has worked in Cary’s West Regional Library for the past 17 years. Her favorite section of the library is the travel section.
Barry-Rodriguez says every library in Wake County has a travel section, but not everybody realizes what a valuable resource it can be. From guidebooks and maps to countries and memoirs, there’s something for everybody.
“Everyone seems to be interested in travel,” Barry-Rodriguez said. “Whether they actually go somewhere, or it's just armchair travel and they're dreaming about it or planning it.”
That’s why she’s putting together a virtual Travel Smart program to help inspire people to experience new places.
Barry-Rodriguez loves to travel, but says she hasn’t planned any big trips since the pandemic. It’s the same for many others. She hopes the Travel Smart program and the library’s resources can help people get back out there.
“It just opens your world,” Barry-Rodriguez said. “It's not just about having a good time and going having some great wine and some great pasta. Oh, that's wonderful too, but it's really important to understand how other people live.”
The Travel Smart series kicks off Feb. 22 with travel author Rick Steves. Other sessions in the series include library travel resources, packing smart, smartphone photography and questions for TSA.
You can also check with your nearest library to see what resources it has to help you plan your next trip.
