HUGE library fan going back to childhood! I too go to a variety, in other towns, my own town, etc. Love to read the newspaper, check out magazines, put books on hold, use the printer, help my kid with homework and peruse the bulletin boards. Libraries are a sanctuary.
I love that you had a date at the library. That sounds excellent and reminds me of how much I used to love studying at the library with my friends in college. We also took the whisper thing seriously (and I still do; it's just ingrained in me from childhood, despite how times have changed) and would scribble notes to each other back and forth while we studied and generally just hung out there. It was good times.
I am also very envious that your library has a fireplace AND a coffee bar!!!! That seems so luxurious. One of my local library branches is pretty cozy and I've been thinking about writing there for a change of pace and focus. And I popped into another local branch recently to borrow a book and discovered how cute it is, and Ive been wanting to go back there to explore. I think I shall. Thanks for the inspiration!
Let me just add that Libby is amazing for audiobooks as well. I read probably 2/3 on audiobooks, and have rarely paid for one. I'm not working in a library right now, but I'm still a librarian at heart and it's been so frustrating recently with cuts nationally and at the state level where I am. If you love libraries, make sure your representatives know how much!
Meagan... you are the only person I have ever heard say they don't mind paying library fines. At this stage I've got myself convinced I'm paying rent on the buildings, but I love libraries so much I'm kind of ok with that...
This might be obvious to other people but I recently started making use of requesting books on hold!!! Even children’s books! I’ll browse the library’s online catalog for things my daughter is into and get a wider selection from looking at all the books in the county. Then I request them and in a few days go and there’s a big stack held in the front with my name on it. Kind of gets at the online shopping convenience/benefit but still through the library.
I'm terrible about remembering to use the "holds" option (I tend to just show up at the library and want what I want IMMEDIATELY lol) but it's such a good tip. It definitely does scratch the same itch as shopping, only without, you know, shopping!
Holds are especially awesome for children's books! And some libraries even allow you to pause/schedule them if you aren't ready yet. For instance, I like to request holiday picture books about a month before I need them, them they are right on time.
I love the library! I go a couple of times a week. It’s often where I hang out when waiting for one of my kids (to get out of school or practice), which is so nice to have when we live so far from town.
So wonderful! And yes to hanging out there. I love when Jon and I go together and he browses the stacks and I hang out in the new arrivals area with my stack LOL!
We tend to visit the library whenever we are on vacation. They make great road trip bathroom breaks and you can sometimes pick up cheap entertainment if they are having a book/media sale.
Great idea, and agreed about the book sales - I came home with a pile of books quite unexpectedly from a recent book sale at my son's college campus. Whoops! But not whoops, actually.
HUGE library fan going back to childhood! I too go to a variety, in other towns, my own town, etc. Love to read the newspaper, check out magazines, put books on hold, use the printer, help my kid with homework and peruse the bulletin boards. Libraries are a sanctuary.
“Libraries are a sanctuary” - YES!
I love that you had a date at the library. That sounds excellent and reminds me of how much I used to love studying at the library with my friends in college. We also took the whisper thing seriously (and I still do; it's just ingrained in me from childhood, despite how times have changed) and would scribble notes to each other back and forth while we studied and generally just hung out there. It was good times.
I am also very envious that your library has a fireplace AND a coffee bar!!!! That seems so luxurious. One of my local library branches is pretty cozy and I've been thinking about writing there for a change of pace and focus. And I popped into another local branch recently to borrow a book and discovered how cute it is, and Ive been wanting to go back there to explore. I think I shall. Thanks for the inspiration!
Libraries are amazing!! We love visiting as often as possible.
Let me just add that Libby is amazing for audiobooks as well. I read probably 2/3 on audiobooks, and have rarely paid for one. I'm not working in a library right now, but I'm still a librarian at heart and it's been so frustrating recently with cuts nationally and at the state level where I am. If you love libraries, make sure your representatives know how much!
Meagan... you are the only person I have ever heard say they don't mind paying library fines. At this stage I've got myself convinced I'm paying rent on the buildings, but I love libraries so much I'm kind of ok with that...
Not even kidding, yesterday when I paid my $1.20 fine, the librarian said "Thank you for your support." I felt like a dang PHILANTHROPIST!
We are a two woman library saving gang. Go us!x
This might be obvious to other people but I recently started making use of requesting books on hold!!! Even children’s books! I’ll browse the library’s online catalog for things my daughter is into and get a wider selection from looking at all the books in the county. Then I request them and in a few days go and there’s a big stack held in the front with my name on it. Kind of gets at the online shopping convenience/benefit but still through the library.
I'm terrible about remembering to use the "holds" option (I tend to just show up at the library and want what I want IMMEDIATELY lol) but it's such a good tip. It definitely does scratch the same itch as shopping, only without, you know, shopping!
Holds are especially awesome for children's books! And some libraries even allow you to pause/schedule them if you aren't ready yet. For instance, I like to request holiday picture books about a month before I need them, them they are right on time.
Now this is smart some of the holiday books do usually get all checked out right around when I want them!
I love the library! I go a couple of times a week. It’s often where I hang out when waiting for one of my kids (to get out of school or practice), which is so nice to have when we live so far from town.
I have done the best waiting around of my life in libraries 🤣
So wonderful! And yes to hanging out there. I love when Jon and I go together and he browses the stacks and I hang out in the new arrivals area with my stack LOL!
It's like the best kind of midlife date, right?
We tend to visit the library whenever we are on vacation. They make great road trip bathroom breaks and you can sometimes pick up cheap entertainment if they are having a book/media sale.
Great idea, and agreed about the book sales - I came home with a pile of books quite unexpectedly from a recent book sale at my son's college campus. Whoops! But not whoops, actually.