By Collection Management Librarian Kathy
Folks have said that their library card is the most valuable card in their wallet. Okay, former First Lady Laura Bush (a former librarian!) is generally attributed with saying this, but I bet a lot of people would agree.
Why? Unlike those other cards you use to spend money, your library card can save you money!
To help celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month, here are some great ways to pinch a penny at the library.
1. Listen to digital audiobooks & music
Save: Perhaps you don’t need all those subscription services when the library has so many things to listen to. And we get it, sometimes we don’t have exactly what you want at the exact moment you want, but what a great time to discover new things!
How: Libby has thousands of audiobooks just waiting for you. And Hoopla has even more AND tons of music, with no wait time!
2. Browse a magazine or newspaper
Save: Are you subscribing to The New York Times just for the recipes? And let’s be honest, you only get Us Weekly for the pictures. Maybe it’s time to ditch those costly subscriptions.
How: The library has a few of your favorites available at the Main Library but has boatloads of magazines and newspapers available to read online—at home or in the library—for free!
3. Watch a movie
Save: Okay. We can’t pretend we have all those super-popular shows currently streaming. But you might be shocked to find just how much we do have!
How: Stream movies (plus TV shows, documentaries, instructional videos, and more) through Kanopy and Hoopla. And check out the Hoopla BingePass if you need more Hallmark, Great Courses, or PBS Kids in your life. Of course, don’t forget that we also have an excellent selection of stuff to watch on DVD and Blu-ray.
4. Learn a language
Save: If you are using (and paying for) a certain app to learn a new language, you should know that the library has something for you, too.
How: The online resource Mango Languages offers conversational proficiency in more than 70 languages, including options for folks learning English and American Sign Language. And for your littlest language learner, try Little Pim.
5. Play a new game
Save: Have you been wanting to try pickleball? Or need a game for your upcoming beach vacation? Or maybe something new for the block party? Why buy if you’re not sure you’ll like it or if it will just gather dust in your garage after one use?
How: You can check out all sort of games and activities (and much, much more) through our Library of Things collection, which contains a myriad of nontraditional library items.
6. Connect, relax, have fun
Save: Are all the wellness fads costing you an arm and a leg? Spending all your extra money on events? Honestly, we can’t even believe all the programs we offer. And all for free!
How: Attend a sound bath meditation or a chair yoga class from the comfort of your own home. Or watch a film on the big screen, listen to live music, or participate in a book discussion or Scrabble Club or … you get the picture. (Note: You don’t need a library card to participate in events, but we couldn’t leave them out of the ways to save money at your library!)
7. Read, of course
Save: Don’t get us wrong, we love bookstores! And books do make great presents. But our reading hearts are bigger than our pocketbook.
How: Peruse our catalog for all the things available to you, in both physical and digital formats.
About Kathy
Kathy is a Collection Management Librarian who loves reading, sharing, and talking about books. Her missions in life are to create communities of readers, convince folks that her official title should be “Book Pusher,” and refute that “disco” is a dirty word.