Why the Library is My Best Friend

How do I love my library?  Let me count the ways…

I cannot even begin to count all of the hours I have spent either in a library or enjoying what I have borrowed from a library.  As an avid (some would call it obsessive) reader, I depend upon the library to help supply my insatiable desire for the written word.  But the library is really more than just my free book supplier.  It helps me keep within my budget.  It provides quality time with my children.  And the list goes on.

So, I thought I would make a list–a list written in homage to the library.  Here is why the library is my best friend, and why it should be yours, too:

1. Books for Children

Most of the libraries I have been in provide a wonderful selection of literature for young readers.  I have been taking my children to the library since they were a few weeks old in order to supplement our personal library.  Now that my oldest son is able to read, he has fun selecting his own books on topics that interest him (science and any book by Mo Willems at the moment!).  My daughter is learning her colors, numbers, and letters right now, so we generally pick up a few of those books for her to add some variety to the ones we own (as much as I love it, there is really a limit to how many times I can read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!).  We also choose a couple of board books for my youngest son to  eat…er…I mean read.

2. Programs for Children

My kids love the library’s programs!  We always participate in the summer reading program, and they eagerly anticipate their weekly prize.  The library also brings in a variety of storytellers, magicians, dancers, musicians, yoga instructors, artists, and more throughout the year.  My little ones have gotten to play bongos, act in a play, make puppets, do downward-facing-dog, and paint masterpieces for free and had a ball doing it.  If you have littles or homeschool, check to see if your library has weekly storytimes.  Some require registration but others are purely drop-in.

3. Movies

We are probably the only family in America that does not have Netflix at this point.  We get about 10 channels on our TV (3 of which are PBS), and we do not let our children watch very many television programs.  We do, however, check out a couple of movies from the library each week.  The kids love having a weekly movie night, and you can’t beat the price!

4. Museum Passes

We have lived in many places around the country over the years, and several of our public libraries have had museum passes that could be checked out.  When we lived near Boston, we checked out passes to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts–what a great value!  Our local library here in Virginia has passes to the Children’s Discovery Museum that can be checked out for a week.  This has made for many excellent free afternoons!

5. Adult Books

I recently discovered my library’s website and online account.  Until a few months ago I hadn’t realized that I could place books on hold, make a list of books that I would like to read, or suggest books that my library should buy.  Most of you have probably figured this out already, but if you haven’t you should take advantage of it!  I love having my books waiting for me when we go to the library!  This has also helped me in my Read 100 Challenge.  Whenever I hear a book recommendation from a friend or blogger I trust, I’ll check my library’s catalog and add it either to my hold list or my “Books I’d Like to Read” list.  I currently have 90 books that I’d like to read.  Again, I may have a bit of a problem….

6. Adult Programs

Libraries often have programs geared for adults.  My library offers book clubs, movie viewings, discussion groups, lectures, visiting authors, and a writing group.  Check it out!  You may meet like-minded people and make some new friends.  At the very least, you’ll get an interesting free evening out of it!

7. Audiobooks

I love audiobooks.  I spend about 30 minutes in the car each day driving to and from work, and I cherish that time for two reasons.  First, it’s the only time of the day that I’m alone.  (My introverted self needs that time!).  Second, I get to listen to a book.  There is something so wonderful about hearing a story and getting lost in the word pictures.  The library offers a great selection of books on CD and free downloads that help make my commute magical.

8. Community

This may sound a bit cheesy, but hear me out.  I mentioned that I have done a lot of moving through the years for school and work.  I’ve lived everywhere from Massachusetts to New Mexico, Iowa to Oklahoma.  Whenever I step into a new library, pick up the books that have been loved by people in this place, examine the pictures and artwork that members of my new town have created, hold a library card with the name of my new home on it–I begin to feel a part of this new community.  I put down a little root as a pull up a chair and read awhile.

What do you love about the library?

(Linked to Feather Your Nest Friday, Way Back Wednesday.)