I’m obsessed with my library card, and I’m proud of it. I keep a copy on my key ring at all times and the main card in my bedside table. The Libby app is one of my favorites. I’ve been known to gasp with joy when one of my requested eBooks comes off hold at the library. Any chance I get, I recommend getting a library card to other readers because I genuinely believe it’s something worth having. In case you aren’t convinced, I’m going to break down why! Hopefully, some of you non-library-card-holders will decide to change your ways by the end of this post and support your local library branch.
So, let’s talk reasons to get a library card!
- Free books. I really don’t know why I would need to go into more detail on that, because if you’ve found this blog, you’re clearly a book lover, so free books speaks for itself. As someone who constantly has to put herself on a book-buying ban so I can save some money for rent and groceries, being able to pick up books from the library that I want to read saves me both money and shelf space. The worst thing as a book lover is to buy a book you didn’t enjoy reading, and then it takes up space on your shelf until you get around to selling it or donating it. Borrowing books from the library saves you from this horror!
- Free e-books. Personally, I think that buying e-books is a HUGE waste of money. They’re almost the same cost as hard copy books, and you don’t even get anything tangible, plus you had to pay for your e-reader in the first place. My most common use of my library card is to check out e-books and get them delivered right to my Kindle. It’s fast, easy, FREE, and once I read a book and return it, I don’t have to worry about it taking up space in my Kindle library! Plus, there’s nothing like the rush of getting a Libby notification that an e-book you’ve had on hold is ready for you to read.
- Free audiobooks and magazines. Similarly to free hard copies and e-books, you can get free audiobooks and magazines through your local library! Considering newspaper and magazine subscriptions can really add up, being able to borrow readily-available copies from the library is very convenient.
- Free remote work space. I’ve brought my laptop to the downtown library so many times to get work done, and I only had to pay for parking (I didn’t feel like tracking down free parking and opted to pay for the garage, that’s on me). Libraries are ideal for a quiet workspace when you don’t have to be on meetings. They’re a great change of pace from your home office, and some of them (like the Austin Central library with its rooftop terrace and garden) are absolutely gorgeous.
- A community space. If you don’t feel like working alone at the library, it’s so easy to bring friends! Whether you all book a private room for a meeting or you prefer to sit in silence near each other while doing separate things, a library is a great place to gather your community because there are so many options. A lot of libraries also host game nights and book clubs if you’re looking to expand your social circle!
- Research guides. Whether you’re in school or (like me) are just passionate about expanding your knowledge, libraries have research guides on their websites that you can delve into to explore specific topics. These make it a lot easier to track down trustworthy resources. If you don’t fully trust an online research guide, you can easily ask a librarian to help you find a source or books on a topic, too.
- Activities for kids. Most, if not all, libraries have a lot of free activities just for kids, like daily story times, puppet shows, author events, and even summer learning programs. Whether you’re looking for an opportunity for your children to learn outside of school or you just want something to entertain them, check out what kid-friendly activities your local library is offering daily.
- Volunteer opportunities. Want to get involved in your community in a way that doesn’t involve washing dog bowls or sorting canned goods? You can volunteer at your local library! There are so many opportunities at different library branches, whether you want to coordinate events, help with branch circulation, or put in some shifts at the gift shop. Obviously, this isn’t paid, but it’s an easy way to give back to your community through helping your library function.
- Support your favorite authors! You can show support for your favorite authors without buying every single thing they’ve ever written. Just checking out their books helps, especially if there’s such a long wait for a book or series that the library purchases more copies.
These are just nine reasons off the top of my head why you should get a library card! If even just one applies to you, I hope you run to your closest library branch to get a card. The process is really easy: just apply online and go pick it up in person! You can even grab some books while you’re there. Let’s show some love for our local libraries. Cheers, and happy reading!
Sequels and Scribbles 