One of my favorite money saving "tips" is THE LIBRARY. How can you go wrong when you can read as many books as you like, FOR FREE? Seriously. I don't know why I ever used to purchase books at $12 a pop. A quick week or two of entertainment and then, woosh! Gone! $12 out the door!
It has been about 2 years since I renewed (haha! get it? renewed?!) my love for the library. I used to think it was too much of a hassle. You know, that big scary piece of furniture in the lobby called the Card Catalog. Ugh. I used to dread going for research projects as a kid because you had to stand in line and then look through those tiny drawers for something that just might relate to what you were looking for. Then you had to write down the confusing numerical code, and finally wander aimlessly throughout the aisles hoping to stumble upon the correct book. Really, who were we kidding...did anyone ever GET how it worked?!
Well let me tell you. The library has changed. At least here in Phoenix it has. It is so easy now that I can hardly stand it. It makes me giddy. Here is the new way the library works:
1. Go to the website and type in the book that you would like to find.
2. Select book from the results (sometimes there are audio versions, Spanish, etc.)
3. Place book on hold & find out where you are on the holds list. Sometimes you're number 15, sometimes you are number 1. Keep in mind that there are several copies of most books, so even if you are way down on the list, it usually doesn't take tooooo long to get to you!
4. Select location you'd like to pick the book up at.
5. Wait until you receive an email that the book is ready. If you are 1st on the list, usually it takes only a day or 2.
6. Go to library's shelf of "holds" and find book(s) with your name on the spine.
7. Self-checkout like at the grocery store.
8. Enjoy book & wait until you receive an email reminding you that your book is soon due.
9. Either go back online and renew it with just the click of a button or return book & pick up new holds.
10. Lather, rinse, and repeat.
See?! Isn't it so easy? Another great feature is that the website has a "bookshelf" where you can save books that you'd like to read or have read. GoodReads is another great place to save book recommendations so you never are in the position where you don't have anything to read. I update my "to read" shelf when I hear about a book in a magazine, from a friend, etc.
So there you go! The library rocks and saves lots of money!
P.S. They loan DVDs (including New Releases) and CDs as well!
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2 comments:
This is one thing I am looking forward to when I return to the States.
I am also looking forward to E-libraries. You "borrow" an e-book and "download" it to your MP3 (Apple does not support this so I will have to get one on the capability list the library provides). I like to have a book to listen to and book to read at all times. But, I don't want to buy an audio book b/c they are expensive. I know libraries in Vermont have e-libraries. As a busy mom, I don't have the time to read like I used to - so listening to a book is such a great option and e-books are usually unabridged.
Anyway, I love libraries and am so happy that they are so much easier to "use" these days!
My library has downloads available too yet I haven't tried them. I do borrow books on CD from them which is great for my long commute to & from work. So I actually have 2 books going at a time...
My next desire is for the library to SOMEHOW figure out a way to work with Kindles. I would love one (totally enjoyed playing with my Sister-in-Laws a couple weekends ago) but you have to purchase each book and I just can't justify that...hmmmm someday Amazon might figure out a way to make it work for them??
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