Thanks for voting!Christy B., Savings Advocate
Since college, my library use has changed dramatically. Back then, I used it primarily as my study group meeting space and personal printing plant: Any paper over three pages long was packed onto a zip drive and printed on the school’s dollar to save some money. Beyond that, the library was nothing more than the building that I cut through to get from the dining hall to English class.
I realize now that this limited use of library resources not only hindered my intellectual growth (I’ve caught up since), but also wasted a chunk of my meager student budget.
When I graduated and moved off campus, I quickly realized I’d have to give up the school library, too. So I got a library card from our local library. That’s when I discovered benefits like free WiFi and computer access, free DVD rentals, and (of course) the world’s greatest supply of free books and magazine subscriptions. And all I had to do was bring them back on time — or call to renew them. Pretty marvelous, I thought.
I recently discussed my library discoveries with my sister-in-law. Her husband is an English teacher, and buys books like it’s his job. (Oh, wait, it is. Ha.) To manage their budget, they’ve worked out a book-buying system: He can walk around the bookstore for hours filling his basket, giddy with love of literature, but in the end he’s only allowed to purchase two or three books. The titles he discards he instead checks out from their local library. That way, he can still grow his book collection… and my sister-in-law can still buy groceries. Nifty, huh?
So your husband isn’t an English teacher. But maybe he splurges on DVDs, or just started downloading ’70s hair metal albums (his new, uh, hobby). Or maybe it’s your weakness for magazines filled with celebrity gossip. Whatever the case, the library can satisfy these cravings for free.
So dust off the card in the back of your wallet, or if you don’t already have one, go sign up. Yes, the librarians still shush you for talking. And if you get caught using your cell phone, they’ll ask you to leave. (True story, shame on me.) But it’s all free and a nice, quiet way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon to boot. Check out this article for some other ways to save money on your reading habit. Happy hunting.
Tags: Free Entertainment, Library, Savings
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Know what’s awesome at the Library? Toddler Time!! Most libraries offer story time for toddlers which may include a small crafts project and snack. Cost - Free!!! Afterward we look through books and my son gets to pick out a DVD he likes. You should see how proud a 2 year can be picking out their own movie.
The library has been our “family spot” since my oldest son was 18 months old. Toddler story time occupied him while I searched for good reads and Grandma was getting her hair done. I too spent a fortune on books but realized in the past 6 years or so that books were not as good as they used to be, at least the ones I was buying! So now I scour reviews and write down the titles and search my library. If I find, while reading, that I want to highlight passages or make notes in the margin, I return the book and search for a USED copy online to add to my colllection. Sadly, I live overseas now and our base library, though pretty well-stocked, does not carry too many books I am interested in or haven’t already read. So I shop online for used copies. When I vacation in the states, I search used book stalls, library book sales, etc.for good deals. I also listen to them on my computer via my home library even when overseas. They do not block me from listening, unlike Netflix, who will not permit viewing outside of the US (even though on a US Base, go figure.). Not the same as the feel and touch and smell of a good book but almost as good.
I also started going to the library about a year ago. I was shocked to see how many recent titles they had. My library also stocks many magazines which you can check out also. I love magazines so its like being a kid in a candy store and getting it all for free!!!!!
libraries are hurting, undergoing big budget cuts. Like many other industries.
forgot to mention, I have a friend that works at one.
[...] conscious folks on the ING savings blog We the Savers share some great praise about libraries and benefits and money saving aspects of library use: “When I graduated and moved off campus, I quickly realized I’d have to give up the school [...]