Saving money in the Library

Okay, I love the library!!!

Although, I read a lot of books (mostly financial), that's not the main reason I love the library.

I go to the library at least 2 times a week during lunch break at work. Granted, the library I go to is only 2 miles away from work, so I don't waste money driving there.

The following list is the reasons I'm a great advocate for using the library's services.

1.) DVD and VHS tapes - these are great, although you might have to put holds on newer titles, because you'll never see them on the shelves if they are to new.

2.) Audio book CDs and cassettes - I have about 30 minute commute 4 days a week (I telecommute 1 day a week), and I'll instead of wasting time, I choose to listen to audio books of all types, whether they're fictional works by Stephen King, or biographies of famous people like Benjamin Franklin (really interesting work by the way, just show how things never change in the world). I recently listened to Fahrenheit 451 (I would have never guess I would have enjoyed it, but I did, although it is a bit dated though. it was written in the 50 or 60s).

3.) Great Magazine selections - Why get subscriptions to magazines when you can read them here at the library, and you can actually check out any previous month's issue just like you can with a book.

4.) Music CDs and cassettes - Why buy a CD or tape, and then later find out you hate it. You can get a huge sampling of a variety of different type of music here. Maybe you'll surprise yourself and find out that you actually like certain types of classical music, or jazz or whatever. I did...

5.) Soothing relaxed environment - the library I go to has very comfortable chairs and even a nook with a fireplace on one side. It's almost like a home away from home. I'm sure most libraries have similar sweet spots where everything is quiet and relaxing.

6.) Internet Access - I surf the web while at the library, especially when I want to research a particular stock in greater detail.

7.) Network of libraries - Darn, my local library doesn't have that Dave Ramsey book I've been dying to read... No problem, I'll just search the network that my library is part of via the computer, and put a hold on the book. To this day I'm still amazed that they ship the book from the remote library to my local library for free, amazing! Typically, I'll get a given book in a few weeks.

8.) Live entertainment for the younger kids - Story time is a great plus for younger kids at the library. Both my son and daughter participated and loved it. The make cool thing there and for about an hour get a story read to them. There is also the social aspect of having other children nearby before, during and after the story time classes. This is a truly a great free program.

9.) Game night, or movie nights - I know of some libraries that play games at certain times, and have special movie nights for teens and children. My kids are too young to participate in that yet, but it's interesting.

10.) Free meeting rooms - You want to get a group together to meet for a particular cause, see if your library has a meeting room you can reserve for a particular day and time. If you did this anywhere else, it would cost money. I've used such room for extra quiet studying, another great perk.

11.) Computer games/tutorials - Want to learn how to type, see if you library has a typing tutorial game. SpongeBob is my son's favorite typing tutorial game. He especially enjoyed the Scooby Doo game that we tried (although the internet versions are a bit better these days...)

12.) Free Internet access - Most libraries nearby where I live/work serve at server as accesspoint for internet access. So if you have a laptop with a wireless card/nic, you can log on via this way. It will enable you to bypass the resource contention for the libraries computer during later hours when the library is busier.

And these are a few of my favorite money reasons that I go to the library.

- D