Libraries- what do you use them for?

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Libraries- what do you use them for?

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Started 1 year ago by camellia tree
Latest reply from charmed2482
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camellia tree
Member

I have just recently discovered the uncluttering power of libraries, and it seems like I keep learning of new services and/or resources available. Just wondering if I am missing any.

Books is the obvious use. I recently learned how to put books on hold such that I can pick them up at my local library. Probably old hat to most unclutterers, but this was a revelation to me.

Then I realized the library has free, easy to use wireless internet. So I got rid of my ($50/month) home connection and now I just take my laptop to the library.

I was checking out books recently when I noticed someone with movies.

Magazines- I noticed recently that my local library even has the expensive Paris Vogue.

I know all library systems are different...but I'm just curious, am I missing anything?

Posted 1 year ago #
themusiclivez
Member

I used my library to rent DVDs! While I was on vacation last week I borrowed a few DVDs. The best part? When I was done, I didn't have to figure out whether to keep/sell/donate the movie. It just went right back to the library!

I have also borrowed CDs from the library as well!

Posted 1 year ago #
djk
Member

newspapers! brilliant programs for kids! multilingual programs! sometimes lecture series!

I miss my (most excellent) public library system in Vancouver. I always used the DVD section for getting out travel documentaries before a trip, getting books on tape. I made a momentous (for me) decision not to buy more books a few years ago (with the exception of ones I had already read and KNEW I wanted a copy of for myself.

what I normally took out: inspirational coffee-table books, how-to manuals on a craft I was learning, travel guides, magazines. The system would leave me either an email or voicemail, my choice, when the items were coming due, and I could renew by both options as well.

A friend once said she paid late fees cheerfully, and would have paid her university costs directly to the public library if she could, because she gained more knowledge there than 6 years of university.

Posted 1 year ago #
ValH
Member

Honestly, books are one of the things I use my library for the least. For whatever reason when I have a two week time I need to read a book in I get flustered and just cannot get it read . I know I can renew, but that just seems to continue my flustered procrastination.

The main things I use my library for are the foreign DVDs, I am a huge fan of a lot of British TV shows and my library has a lot to borrow, and my library book store where I can pick up a lot of interesting books to read (on my own time and for very little) and can donate all of my old books to be read by someone else.

Posted 1 year ago #
karenmcgowan
Member

ours has music cds, audiobooks in cassette and cd format, and downloadable mp3 audiobooks. there aren't many books i can't get through interlibrary loan and i can manage my account online - search for materials, request them for delivery to my local library, reserve new material that isn't circulating yet and renew most materials. we pay a fee to use the neighboring city's library since our tiny town's library is correspondingly tiny and keeps erratic hours.

i never purchase fiction any more, since i am happy to wait the few extra days a particularly popular bestseller might require. we also donate all of our outgrown books, music and movies to the library which will either circulate them (nothing cooler than seeing a book you donate sitting on the "new books" shelf) or will sell them at their quarterly sales. i rarely buy a nonfiction book these days unless i have checked it out at the library.

Posted 1 year ago #
pkilmain
Member

The last 10 years of my working life were spent as a public library director, so I'm thrilled to hear that you all have hit on all the things libraries can/do provide for you. I spent that 10 years not buying personal books, except a few cookbooks, etc. that I wanted for reference. I'm still a heavy library user. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, some on CD in the car, others I download from the library website. My husband and I peruse the library DVD collection instead of Netflix. I frequently go there with my laptop, or just my flashdrive as my home internet has a very rigid download limit. I put books, etc. on hold online and when necessary renew them online.

Posted 1 year ago #
terriok
Member

I just cannot get enough of a library to be surrounded by all that knowledge.

Btw, I am not a fan of reading online at all. Just my bias.

Posted 1 year ago #
chacha1
Member

My sister and I practically lived at the library during summers growing up. We went through stacks and stacks of books ... I almost never use mine now, though it's a very nice facility.

Did give it a try a few years back. Fiction selection was thin, nonfiction heavily arts & entertainment (and, generally, I like to see the ART - or movie or play - rather than read a book about it), DVDs often damaged, not interested in magazines, limited use for CDs, don't use audiobooks, and the "programs" (a great array) all offered during my work hours! And thus, I stopped going.

I highly value libraries as part of a civilized society. Just wish city budgets were big enough to make libraries a part of a civilized *night life*.

Posted 1 year ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

Our library has visiting authors, featured artists, book discussion groups, a creative writing class, Mango Languages software, musical performances in the lower level, computer courses, guest speakers, special programs for teens and little kids
I could spend a lifetime in the reference department alone.

Many libraries have special sections for your state, county and city business Oh, and access to online databases that are only available to card-carrying members :)

There are also opportunities to volunteer at the library, usually just putting materials away, but I see people of all ages helping out. One can also sit on a special committee whose role is to go to all the city counsel meeting to protect the libraries interest from those who repeatedly try to trim the library's budget, and would even like to see the library gone. Can you imagine that people have to fight to keep the library on and on-going basis?

Posted 1 year ago #
Another Deb
Member

We check out books on tape for long drives on vacation. It makes the miles fly by!

Posted 1 year ago #
MSPunclutterer
Member

I check out books and lots of travel guides (especially as I'm trying to decide where I want to go. I can go to the travel center and get guides for a whole bunch of cities.) CDs, DVD, access to academic databases and the electronic version of the OED! (Which I can sign on to at home using my library card.) I volunteer a couple of times a month (mainly putting books away... it is never ending :) Our system also has interlibrary loan online so if we don't have something I can see if another library in MN has it and if they do request it. I can also request that they buy books (normally they do.) I love my library :)

Posted 1 year ago #
Claycat
Member

I go to a little tiny, podunk library in central Texas. I find a lot of good books to read there and some audiobooks, so I'm fairly happy with it. I hardly ever buy books anymore. I'm thinking about doing the online Kindle and the downloadable audiobooks one of these days.

Posted 1 year ago #
ValH
Member

Oh, I thought of one of the other things my library offers, they organize a lot of awesome speakers that come in as well. Authors with new books coming out or just other well known ones will come and speak. It is a great activity.

And our library also offers services like finger printing or passport renewal because they are located in the building as well. I am lucky to live in a city with a heavily funded library. But enjoyed the much smaller one my city had when I was younger as well.

Plus, we can order books from any other library in our county (or even go there and check it out) which is really nice if you are looking for something that is less available.

And I love the summer reading programs. They were one of my main summer activities as a kid and even keep me reading as an adult.

Posted 1 year ago #
camellia tree
Member

Great ideas...I also thought of another one, a friend of mine doesn't have a printer at home and so uses the printer at the library. She said she can either use a USB drive for documents or just e-mail them to herself and then log onto the library computer to print the document. I haven't tried this before but I plan to as I also don't have a printer (my house is small, technology changes rapidly...these are my excuses).

Posted 1 year ago #
Kamakazi
Member

Recently as I am downsizing my home library my local library has really just been the spot I take all the books I want to donate to. Up to about 80 now.

I haven't used the library much in recent years, although as a kid my parents found it invaluable. We went at least once a week to check out new books. I would say that my local library as a kid is why I love reading to this day.

Posted 1 year ago #
needtocleanhouse
Member

I love libraries. The Library of Congress is magnificent! I'd like to see the Bodleian at Oxford. Anyone been? What's it like?

For uncluttering purposes, besides donating books we can donate magazines (for a sharing table) and now that I'm writing this I would guess that one could also donate DVDs and CDs.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sky
Member

I use my library for books, of course, but also to read magazines. I don't have to worry about keeping them or recycling them....much easier than subscribing.
My printer was on the blink recently so I used my library printer for only 20 cents a page.
Love my library!

Posted 1 year ago #
STLMom
Member

I'll second or third the people who said they borrow books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and download audio books from the website. Our library also runs a used book store where I buy books and donate them back when I'm done. I got a big pile of adult and kid books (for our vacation) for $10.
Last night I took the kids to see a juggler on the front lawn of the library. Last summer, when we visited my mom in another state, we saw a juggler at her library. What is it about libraries and jugglers? Whatever reason, my kids love libraries too.

Posted 1 year ago #
Stacia
Member

Our library has many of the items already listed. Also, everyone probably knows this, but you can often get books in other languages and also in large print if you need it.

Plus, there are a few other things I haven't seen mentioned yet:

* State park passes (able to check it out for a week & there is always a waiting list of folks) which give you free admission & parking to any state park/historic site.

* Those things (I can't remember the exact name right now) that you can plug into your outlets & then plug your appliance into the item & it will tell you how much energy your appliance is using.

* Sets of books for a book club. They keep a set of 10 of the same book, plus a discussion guide. One person can check out the entire set to use w/ your local book club. At this time, there's not a huge variety, though I think they have about 10 or 12 titles from which to choose.

I would suggest chatting w/ your local reference librarian & asking for a tour of all their areas & to talk about all the services/items they offer.

Posted 1 year ago #
irishbell
Member

I love the blessed quiet in libraries. After raising my kids- I'm always amazed to be in a crowded place that is so quiet! I lose any sense of time in a library, also. To me, it's like a different world.

Posted 1 year ago #

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