Editor’s note: This is a weekly column that provides readers with insight into the happenings of the four county libraries.
Are you always trying to come up with new ways to save money? There are more options than just couponing! Did you know that you can gain a little wiggle room in your budget just by using the library?
The library offers lots of free services and allows you to borrow items at no cost to you, as long as they are returned on time. This allows cardholders to access a number of items that many wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.
Instead of purchasing books or movies, consider borrowing them from library. You can also borrow eBooks, audiobooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, digital magazines, music CDs, video games, puzzles, board games, and more! The library has a great selection of all of these materials, including new releases. All of these items are available to you through the library for absolutely free. Borrowing materials from the library may even enable you to cancel subscription services such as cable or satellite TV, Netflix, Hulu, Audible, and SiriusXM.
Don’t have internet access at home? I can’t say that I blame you. The average price of internet service in this area is $60 a month. Why pay when the library has free, unlimited Wi-Fi available to you 24/7? The library also has computers with internet access available for public use. Patrons may use the library to print from the public computers, make copies, scan documents to email or USB, or send a fax. Some branches of the library also offer laminating and notary service. These services are provided to you at a minimal cost, especially when compared to having to purchase your own office equipment.
Want to learn a new skill? The library offers free classes and workshops for a broad range of interests. Come to the library to learn to draw or paint, crochet, knit, or quilt. Learn new technology skills, take a yoga class, or attend a workshop on gardening or nature conservation. Use your library card to take an online course through Universal Class, which offers topics from accounting to history to personal development to creative writing. There are also professional development courses in subjects such as law, real estate, business, social work, and office skills. You can learn a new language with the Mango Languages program. Or you can take advantage of any of the other numerous online research resources available to you through the library.
Worried about any late fees that may be on your library account? Join us at the Blue Ridge Library for our Open House this Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and any overdue fines on your card will be forgiven as long as your items have been returned. We’ll also have lots of fun activities for the whole
family!
I’ve borrowed over $100 worth of materials from the library in just the past week. That would add up to over $5,000 a year if I purchased those items! If you’d like to find out how much money you’ve saved by using the library, please visit http://www.ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator.
-Audrey Clark
Fincastle Library
