For those of us who pay attention to personal finance, the public library should be near the top of our list of money-saving resources. It’s true that we have access to a lot of free information and services today, but there are still some expenses that can be significantly reduced if we take the time to use the library’s resources.
Here are ten advantages that you can enjoy for free if you join the two-thirds of Americans who have library cards (as long as you return things on time, of course!):
- Books. If you still enjoy turning the pages of a solid tome in your hands, there are many advantages to borrowing books from the library. Besides being free, library books can be requested online and picked up at any location you like. For e-books, see reason #4.
- DVDs. No matter what you pay to rent movies, it costs more than renting them from the library. Picking up your DVDs from the library isn’t as convenient as Netflix or Blockbuster’s home delivery/home streaming services, but it’s still frugal.
- CDs. Again, pick them up for free, listen to them for free. Free!
- Downloads. It’s a little-known fact that many libraries allow cardholders to download audio and electronic books, movies, and MP3s from the comfort of their homes. How exciting is that?
- Museum Passes. Lots of libraries hold one or two passes to local museums that cardholders can check out for a day in order to avoid entrance fees. These passes tend to be popular though, so it’s a good idea to stop by the library early in the day to request them.
- Software/Databases. We are fortunate to be able to access a lot of free information and tools from our homes thanks to Google and open source applications, but libraries often have subscriptions to resources like LexisNexis and the Adobe Creative Suite. All you need to access them is a library card.
- Librarians. These people are trained to research and find answers to all of your most probing questions completely free of charge, and most of them seem to get a real kick out of doing it. I’ve asked librarians for help more than once in my professional life, and their support seems like a gift from above every time!
- Classes. Libraries exist to encourage life-long learning, so they frequently offer classes or discussions on a variety of subjects. You usually don’t need a library card to attend these.
- Wi-Fi. Absolutely free. At Starbuck’s, it’s $3.99 for two hours.
- A Place to Kick Up Your Feet. Also unlike Starbuck’s, at the library you can settle in for some quality work, studying or reading without having to fork over $5.99 for a latte and a muffin (*personally, I feel bad about reading in a coffee shop and not buying anything, but I understand that not everyone feels this way). A library card is also not usually required for this.
Besides offering so many important things for free, libraries are community staples and a great place to learn about what’s going on in your neighborhood. I encourage you to check out yours and report back to us the free things you discover that aren’t on this list.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s so funny, my wife LOVES the library! She checks out 5-8 books at a time and lugs them all the way back home (4 blocks)
That’s another thing. When you find a property to buy or rent, it’s SUCH a bonus living near the library. You get free internet, and a place to chill as well. A lot of times, there’s a playground close by for the kids too.
Libraries rock! My library card is right next to my bus pass!
Opps. I love this post and wished I wrote it, but this is actually Michelle’s piece. (Sorry Michelle! The post is updated now.)
I never knew library had WIFI connections, never mind that it’s free. I need to go check it out since many people are going to be coming over when baby Sara is born and the house will be more like a Chinese dim sum place rather than a place where I can work.
Haha, “Chinese dim sum place” nice! Hope all your relatives give you massively stuffed “hong bao”s!
Thanks for the post Michelle, can’t believe David tried to take credit for it!
Your wife can’t be me, but I’m exactly the same! They are heavy but since I don’t do this often, I’m okay with taking them home every couple weeks.
It’s really the same as my groceries after I go to the super market, only that I get to enjoy reading the books, rather than eat them
I love the library!
Rachel – I’m you’re husband! So funny we are commenting on the same site! So funny you caught me sharing the story about you. What a coincidence!
Good for her! When I was a kid I was always made fun of for the amount of books that I would check out from the library at a time.
I really like the idea of picking up the books I like at the library, and I’m definitely going tomorrow to see if they have any books I can read during lunch or during my commute.
The cost of having to wait until the book you really want is returned is definitely worth the value of getting free entertainment.
With so many books, I bet there must be ones that you can read while you wait.
Speaking of books, I’m reading one called “Made to Stick” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. I highly recommend everyone picking up a copy.
I love that I can reserve books online and have them delivered to a local library for pickup! Makes it so much easier. And the museum pass bonus is something I only recently heard about. I need to get out to the library soon!
An important aspect is that it’s important to use the resources the library provides! With budget cuts growing in this economy, many services are use it or lose it – if the library isn’t being used by the community then services will be cut. This could mean even losing the local library. Go out and take advantage of what your library has to offer!
One more thing – You can find lots of events for your children! From story time for toddlers to board game night for teens, there’s so much offered at the library.
Great point! Libraries often offer reading programs for kids especially during winter and summer breaks so that kids can actually have an educational vacation. Sometimes they’ll bring in guests who have show and tell time. It’s a great free resource for everybody!
Free Monday night at the movies with free Popcorn. I took the grandkids to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express. Wonderful!
Free access to Heritage Quest and other genealogy programs, as well as the microfilm of all the newspapers dating way back for obit info.
Our library has connections with 4 counties for free book borrowing – order online. Luv the email notifications that my book is in! Or that it’s due to renew. Etc.
The grandkids have ‘filtered’ internet there – I can allow them online without worrying about what will pop up
The Play-Stage is always open – they can give impromptu puppet plays every time we go there! The weekly Read-to-me sessions start at the preschool level at our library.
Magazines and newspapers….save your subscription cost and read them there. A stack of free ‘take home’ magazines – older but still useful. A used book bookstore.
In the summer when it’s hot…free air conditioning
Nice!
I love the parental controls at the library too, since it’s much easier for me to explain to the kids when we set them at home. No more of that “but Amber (her best friend) doesn’t have it” nonsense.
The books and dvds are a great reason to have it. Most library allow you to use the free wifi even if you don’t have a car.
I no longer order magazine subscriptions, but go the library and spend and hr and breeze thru all of them. I get music CD’s there, instead of buying the new Susan Boyle CD, got if from the library. Movies, get the DVD’s from library. Many new releases as soon as available on DVD. Don’t like it or no time to watch, back it goes. You can also download audio books onto your MP3 player and they also have devices that they download books onto for free if you don’t have an MP3. New books out–put on waiting list for library. I enjoyed “I Will Make You Rich” by Ramit at the library. Our library has free wi-fi and a bank of about 50 terminals for going online and free homework online chat. The great library is a huge asset for homeowners, and it is always crowded. Many of the financial statistical journals that are very costly can be accessed online thru the library. Also have constant event lectures in the evening, like how to use the new Microsoft 7, couponing, using the new Iphone, how to sell and buy on Ebay, and on and on. I love libraries, especially ours!! We no longer have books hanging around, DVD’s etc. Saves money and space.
I was just on my library’s website reserving some CDs that I wanted. My whole family uses the library because we all love to read – it has saved us thousands of dollars.
I will be heading there after work to pick up some things I reserved!
Thanks for the heads up- I knew most of the above, but I’d never heard the bit about the museum passes. Recently my pop has been getting some quality DVDs from the library in addition to Netflix- it might be too much of a good thing hehe
You are so so right! Nothing feels quite like like “scoring” at the public library. all that wonderful stuff for free! (yes i know i pay Taxes)
But it’s still free to me!
My sister just sent me this link to 20 of the world’s most beautiful libraries: http://oddee.com/item_96527.aspx. Enjoy!