Maybe I have too much of a young adult mindset. I feel like in today’s culture that the library is not ever at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Sure, gone are the days of sleepless nights studying in university libraries or completing book reports or playing Flash or Java games as a way to procrastinate from those reports while in grade school. Since we have the Internet now, it almost seems like the library is obsolete and not worth our time.
But I think the library deserves some reconsideration.
Maybe this is obvious to say, but I think it’s worth the reminder: you can check things out from the library. This means that you’re not having to spend money on things you can check out. So simple. And that’s pretty cool.
How the Library Can Save You Money
I’m sure you’re very well well aware, but the library (subject to availability) can let you check out books, magazines, CDs, DVDs/Blu-Rays, and other media-related items. Some libraries may even let you check out electronics and office supplies. And even some libraries will let you check out a block of time to use things like 3D printers.
Here, I want to share with you a few real life examples.
Books for Self-Help or Pursuing Being Nerdy
I tend to read blogs related to Catholicism, personal finance, fitness, travel, and productivity. Oftentimes, they recommend some book to read related to whatever topic a particular blog post is about. And I usually make note of those and/or add them to a wish list on Amazon for future reference.
Later on, if I have some time read a new book, I’ll go to my city library’s online catalog and search a book I’ve saved to see if it’s available for checkout.
I have a Kindle Paperwhite as well as the Kindle app for my phone and tablet. And I have the apps, Overdrive and Libby (which is also by Overdrive), that lets me sign into my city library’s online catalog and checkout books through those apps.
Using this method, I’ve been able to read such books as Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo.
The challenge I find with books like these are availability. Like, the online catalog doesn’t have them at all. Catholic books, especially the more recently released ones that I want to read? Usually not carried. Ah well.
Books for Fun Reading
Since I often find myself on long flights or sitting in airports for a long while, what I like to do is to read books for fun in these instances. A lot of popular movies or movie series tend to come from popular books. And this is fantastic because my library has been pretty good at having these available.
Similar to the above, using apps to check out and a Kindle to read, I’ve read books like The Maze Runner series by James Dashner, the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I’m fairly certain I completed most of these books while in transit somewhere. Probably Japan.
Most of these books cost $8.00 USD each so I saved like $60 by NOT buying them and checking them out instead.
Audiobooks
I’m not great at running, and I’m terrible at training consistently for even just going 2 miles. But in 2017, in the few weeks gap I had at home in the middle of my 6-month work assignment to Japan, I invested in a Bluetooth speaker finally! As a way to unite my desire to be inspired more regarding running and to test out my new Bluetooth speaker, I used the same method above of using apps to check out and listen to an audio book.
That audio book was Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. I initially thought it was more of a training guide for running, but in actuality, it’s more of a storytelling narrative of the author’s journey encountering ultra-runners and the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico, who are super hardcore ultra-runners.
The physical book costs $10-$12 depending on the format, and the audio CD would have been $10. Therefore, I saved $10 by checking it out from the library.
Movies
A popular series on HBO right now is Westworld. I don’t recommend watching it if mature content bothers you, but otherwise it’s a really cool show. However, the HBO show is based on (or rather maybe a continuation of) a movie from the 1970’s of the same same, which that movie is based on a book also of the same name. Whew. The book is written by Michael Crichton, who is one of my favorite authors. He’s also known for Jurassic Park, Timeline, Congo, and a handful of other books that got turned into movies.
I’ve had the original book and movie saved on my wishlist on Amazon for a long while, but I could never justify spending the higher prices to buy the book since it’s hard to find, and I didn’t want to spend money renting the movie. HOWEVER! I recently had the idea to check my local library and whaddya know–my library has the DVD release of the original movie!
Or rather, a library way across town had it. So I put in a request to have it shipped to my closest library branch via the inter-library loan. I had to wait a few days, but that was no biggie.
Amazon sells the DVD for $5ish, so I saved about that much by checking it out instead.
What You Can Do Now That You Know…
- Get a library card. If you haven’t already, head to your local branch and request for a library card. I bet most young adults in their early careers haven’t done this yet. Because I certainly didn’t.
- Physically go. Now that you have the card, you can get exclusive access to a plethora of things you can check out of the library!
- Use the online catalog or apps to download books/audiobooks. If your library system has this available, this makes it super convenient to check books and audio books out. Again, the app I use currently is Libby, which is a more user-friendly version of Overdrive.
- Check the calendar. The library can be a pretty happenin’ place with events and activities. Some may even host useful workshops on various topics. Most of the time they’re free!
Bottom Line
I know it’s super easy to go on Amazon and spend money on books and movies. But before you do, check out your local library to see if they have what you’re looking for. And if your library has an online catalog, you can use apps and a reading device or app to download ebooks and audiobooks.
Do you have any other tips to save money using the library? Comment below!
JR is a full-time engineer working in the aerospace industry. Apart from having such a fly job, he flies unto the arms of Our Lady and the Church pursuing his faith and a relationship with Christ. Over the past several years, faith and flying via pilgrimages became a thing. When he’s not being fly, JR hangs out with family, friends, his chihuahua, and with thoughts of the next trip.