Fantastically Frugal: Loving the Library

It has been a while since I last posted, and I have missed it so. Jillian is enjoying being a Mommy and I will be doing these posts solo for a while. Until she returns, I’ll be posting Fantastically Frugal columns weekly.

If anyone had a chance to go to the Grand Re-Opening of the Rancho Cordova library I’d love to hear some details. I heard it was fantastic from several people! My kids and I finally wandered in there last week, and I am so impressed.

I have always loved our library. As a child I would go in there and smell that book smell and feel as if I had come home. The crackle of the book covers, the feel of the carpet, my favorite corner to read, all became a part of my treasured childhood memories. So not being too keen on change, I was skeptical as I took that initial trip to our revamped library. My youngest daughter in comparison, was skipping she was so excited. She accepts change a bit better than Mom.

We both stood for a moment in awe. The self check out desk is the first thing you see. My daughter noticed that the book drop moved around the corner as well. Ok, so other than the slight aroma of new carpet, the library still smells like books. I began to think I may be all right. It really does look and feel like our library, most of the major stuff is still where it was. But it has improved so much!

The teen section is huge. When we were there it was packed. Teens were looking at the books, sitting enjoying the Wi-Fi, playing a chess game, and holding a study group in the comfy set up. I have two teens so I was thrilled with this arrangement.

Many people know that they can check out books at the library, but did you know that you can rent movies? The library has movies just like your local video store. If you plan ahead and request them on the newly revamped online system, you can see the new movies all the time…and for free. The frugalista in me LOVES the free part!

One of my favorite items to check out are the books on CD. Our library always has a great selection of these for children, teens and adults. If I don’t see what I’m looking for, I request it online. It usually only takes a few days for them to arrive. Books on CD are expensive! I mean really expensive! It is so wonderful to be able to take Harry Potter on your next road trip with the kids, or pop in a college course for your morning commute. They also have so many audio downloads! Now you can check them out and take them everywhere. Most of the new release books will be available on CD or audio download. Again…Free!

Another area for the fantastically frugal to find bargains is the music section. So often we get excited about a CD, purchase it and listen a few times and that’s it. It goes in the case never to be listened to again. The library has tons of music. I will find an artist I like, go online and request all their CD’s, immerse myself for a few weeks and then return them. If I miss an album terribly I’ll buy it. This almost never happens. I’m on to something new already.

For anyone wanting to brush up on job or computer skills, the library has listings for classes in the community. If you want to learn a foreign language, the library has CD’s and books galore. Need money advice? The library has a series of lectures, books to check out and many more resources to get started. In fact, I can’t think of anywhere that has more free resources available to the public.

There is a book called The Birchbark House that I just loved. In one part the Native American Family the book is chronicling is preparing for a bitter winter. In addition to the normal rations and preparations you would expect, they put maple sugar into their storage. The rationale for this is that in the dead of winter when the food has run out and most likely their hope with it, they will need this sweetness. It is a little treasure to restore their hope in the hard times to come. This is how I feel about the library. People always need entertainment and joy, but especially in hard times. It doesn’t have to cost you anything.
That new book everyone’s reading, but you can’t buy right now…request it! If the kids need some new computer games, movies, and books to read…visit the library. Never underestimate the power of a book on CD. I can pop one in, and the family slowly creeps around, and before you know it they are entranced. I for one will be back to the library this week. I need some more treasures.

I will never get over the feeling that the library is too good to be true. Like I can’t believe these friendly librarians don’t realize I am walking out with this stuff…to take it home…for free. I will admit geek that I am, to breathing a sigh of relief when I get to the car with my treasures and no one has run out to tell me I can’t take these. I smile that frugal smile I get when I have seriously discovered something not everyone knows. I pop my “new” music CD into my car stereo and drive home to play with my loot.

Until next time,
Brandy

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Posted by Brandy Barris on Mar 12 2010. Filed under Viewpoints. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.