I like books. No, I love books. There is something fabulous about holding a book and taking the time to immerse yourself in it.
Having said that, while I love books I don't love the price tag on 90% of them. I will wait months (even years in some cases) for books to go on sale. Not 10, 20, or even 50%. I'm talking about you pay $5 for a hard cover book that was $30 plus dollars when it came out!
So how do I indulge my love of reading AND books without breaking the bank?
I use the library. Specifically I use my local library's online catalog. I can log onto the catalog any time of night and day. Then I can search for (nearly) any book and request it. The book is then sent to my library when it's available and I can go pick up a handful of books at the same time!
Being a mom who works part time two days a week, has to bus the eldest to and from school, I love that I can browse my library from home and find all the books I want!
Online library catalog with requesting, renewing and searching options works for me!
Great advice. I do this, too.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what we do too! Our (tiny) library does NOT have an online or computer catalog (yet-- at this year's town meeting the town voted to change this), and while they *do* have interlibrary loan, the librarians always seem to "forget" what I'm looking for. Pft.
ReplyDeleteI pay $30 a year to use a library in a neighboring town. Since it's in another state, and I don't pay taxes to support their library, I have to pay to take books out. I did the math, and it costs us about 50c/week this way. Considering I'd pay 50 cents just for the snack that DD gets during the weekly storyhour there, I consider this a fantastic deal! Because who has $30 a week (or more) to spend on a book?? I've even started a jar, and I toss two quarters in it every Wednesday after storytime, and this way when my renewal time comes along I won't be pressed for the cash.
I wonder when my book is published (ha) if I can request that I only do book signings at libraries? (My future publicist would probably NOT go for this.)
As a home school mom and a lover of books as well, this is the only way to go!!!! I have to pay $50 a year for my membership, but it is still a great deal considering the amount of books we get!
ReplyDeleteWell hello there! I am popping in from Works for Me Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I started doing the very same thing when my son was born. I suddenly found myself with plenty of reading time, but no time to stroll through the library with a cranky, colicky baby.
Thanks for sharing! While you are out and about visiting other entries, stop by and see me at Free 2 Be Frugal.
:)
I do this, too. It also cuts down on children browsing questionable books in the juvenile department when you choose classic good books online and then simply pick them up!
ReplyDeleteHi C!
ReplyDeleteI love the library too! Ours is free, very high tech and you can borrow DVDs, CDs, magazines, Wii games, jigsaw puzzles and games for the kids and - yes - even books! LOL
I wrote a post about our local library...where you can even climb on the bookshelves! http://dianedenmark.blogspot.com/2010/03/where-are-we-wednesday-climbing-walls.html