Use Free Resources at Your Local Library and Save Money:
The days of dusty card catalogs are long over. Nowadays, a library is a cornucopia of knowledge, entertainment and cutting edge technology. Not only can you enjoy yourself more than you thought possible, you can save big bucks by using your local library’s resources.
Free Adult Classes
Adult classes at your local community college can cost upwards of $50. Compare this price tag with Andrew Carnegie Library’s free one-on-one computer classes, Hawthorne Library’s free portrait drawing classes, and Orange County Library’s multi-part lecture series on Egyptology. These are just a few examples: while most libraries offer computer classes and language exchange groups, free classes can range from knitting to yoga to personal finance. Ask your local librarian what classes are available for you.
Free Children’s Activities
Kids can be challenging—and expensive—to entertain. Weigh the cost of a new toy, video game or outing against free library activities for kids. Bob the Magician amuses younger kids at Houston Library, while a professional artist in Portland Library shows middle-school students how to create a pirate map. Most libraries offer a read-aloud hour; Costa Mesa Library takes it one step further with Bilingual Story-time. Activities aren’t just limited to younger kids; at Napa Valley Library, a published author leads teenagers in creative writing workshops. Ask your library about free resources for your kids.
Free Internet Access
Unless you work from home or have some other compelling reason to be eternally connected, home Internet isn’t a must-have. You can save $30-$50 a month by taking advantage of your library’s free internet service. Most libraries let you reserve a workstation for a specific time, so you don’t need to worry about waiting in line. If you have a laptop, you can bring it to the library to enjoy a more secure connection with no time limit. In addition to saving you money upfront, using the library for free Internet access is a great way to increase your productivity and eliminate unnecessary web surfing. Check your library website for Internet connectivity details.
Free Office Space
Whether you’re a freelance writer who needs a quiet place to focus, or a young attorney who needs a professional venue to meet with clients, your local library provides you with office space at no cost. You can reserve a private study room, or use the no-talking area of the library for a truly productive workday. Conference rooms can be reserved if you need to give a presentation, hold a meeting, or run interviews. Check your library’s rules and regulations about reserving space; some may charge a fee depending on the type of space or usage.
Free DVDs
A monthly Netflix or Blockbuster subscription can range from $5 to $45, depending on how many movies you want to rent at a time. Why pay anything when you can check out DVDs, VHS movies and audio recordings from your library for free? Just make sure you return them on time: some libraries, like Cranston Public in Rhode Island, can charge up to a dollar a day for late movie rentals. Also, popular DVDs tend to have a shorter loan period. Check your local library for DVD checkout policies.
Free Movie Showings
Across the USA, the cost of a movie ticket is around $8 to $12. Add the exorbitant cost of popcorn and drinks, and it’s easy to understand why cinema attendance has dropped in the past few years. Multnomah Country Library in Oregon offers free vintage movies every Sunday afternoon, while the Boulder International Film Festival uses the public library as a free venue for diverse and innovative films. Check your local library for movie listings.
Free Events
The sky’s the limit when it comes to free events at your library. Free concerts, dance performances, speeches, seminars and workshops are offered in abundance. Some of the quirkier events across the USA include reading to therapy dogs at an Oregon library, building a spaceship out of noodles in Maine, and collaborating in a vaudeville performance in Texas. Check your library’s calendar for upcoming free events.
As if all this weren’t enough, your local library also offers yet another free resource: books! That’s right, you can now borrow books, read them, and return them for no charge at your local library. Shhh…don’t tell anybody!