Lazy Saturdays at the Library
18th May 2008
I love the library. I seriously have a crush on the library. There is something about a library that makes me want to spend the whole day there. I should have been a librarian. Let me count the ways….
1. Our new library has both the Red Plum and the Smart Source coupons…and they’re mine, all mine! For free! No one else cuts the coupons at our library from their Sunday papers. They put them out there for anyone to cut and I go on Saturday and get the whole caboodle!
2. There is a quiet study area where I can’t go to my own kitchen and grouse or decide to turn on the TV or surf the web!
3. DS has an unlimited reading source for that four hours.
4. DH and I can look at whatever we want - we don’t have to agree. He likes to study and I like to read. Whatever. I can look at any magazine or newspaper without paying for it (except for by property taxes, I guess!).
5. Movies. We don’t have cable (lowered expectations…) and so many library movies are pretty new to us. Is that “cool”? No, not necessarily. But does it save money? YES!
What are your favorite things about the local library? When was the last time you visited the library?
May 19th, 2008 at 6:41 am
The free movies!!! Our local library offers several movie choices to take home for 1 week. We typically reserve any movie that we think we may want to see. The only downside is that we may have to wait several weeks to get it. Last week we watched Transformers, Before the Devil knows your dead, and The Golden Compass. The only thing it costs us was the gas to drive to the library and pick them up.
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Free air conditioning! And cold water fountain! And bathroom! (Can you tell I walk there?)
Free resources. There are many books on things like appliance repair, cooking, sewing, how to cut hair, how job hunt, etc. Too bad the foreign-language learning ones are usually quickly destroyed.
Music - my boyfriend checks out CDs to see if he likes them before buying them. And sometimes he discovers new likes.
Neighborhood newsletter. And tax forms. And flyers about things going on.
My library is also near a dollar store, so I drop by there on the way home for $0.50 greeting cards and spices.
May 25th, 2008 at 11:16 am
In a way, the library is the first source of access for you if you are interested in finding out more information about your local area. The Internet is good in general, and specific, but not always strong when it comes to “local” information. For example, I am planning on rental properties in the next couple years in a specific area and the best source for many information I need is available in the books at the local library.
May 25th, 2008 at 11:38 am
It can be a good source for personal finance books for those who want to read PF books without buying them.
May 26th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Our library has a coffee shop, free videos, a TVs with earphones to watch them on, DVD’s CDs, the latest newspapers, internet, computer search stations, books on every subject and really pleasant employees to help you. I like to spend a whole day at the library, the cost of parking far less than any other form of downtown entertainment. I can search my library from home on the internet to give me a feel for the books available, make notes and get right down to whaqt I want to see on my day at the library. Libraries are one of the few resources that remain under-used in our society. We need to introduce more adults to them during this recession, it will certainly comfort the pain it may cause.
May 26th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
@PassiveFamilyIncome - we now have libraryDV, that means you can download movies off the internet to watch. I’m totally psyched about that!
@Debbie - wow, those are great ones that I hadn’t really considered. We turn off our air when we leave the house for more than two hours, so it definitely saves.
@Mark - that’s true. I need to be within walking distance for our next home. Also, PF books abound!
@Uncle B - you have a very SERIOUS library. What a great resource. I agree with you that we will probably see an upsurge in customers at the library with the upcoming recession, at least, if people know what’s good for them!