A public library is a good deal more than a room full of books. Most libraries now lend films and music as well, provide free internet access, and set aside a quiet corner in which students can work undisturbed. Because none of this costs anything, somebody who cannot afford a computer at home still has a reliable place to study in the evenings. The doors are usually open six days a week, and a librarian is on hand to help anyone who is unsure where to begin.