7 Ways Your Public Library Can Help You During A Bad Economy

7 Ways Your Public Library Can Help You During A Bad Economy

1. You can get pretty much any book at the library: A book habit can be expensive. Even second hand books can add up if you read a lot. Even the smallest library can access inter-library loan, Worldcat, OCLC and other library loan services to get you even the most obscure and out of print material.
2. Yes, we have movies: Many libraries charge a nominal (1-2 dollar) fee for renting recent or "popular" titles. It's something of a controversy in the profession, one side arguing all library services should be free, the other saying "We're not a video store!". I tend to fall on the side of free for all. In any case, the fee is often far less than what you'd pay for a rental at a chain video store, and the fees to to cover costs of processing and growing the video collection. If you're looking for a rare film, perhaps older or on an obscure format (Betamax tapes are out there still) libraries can save you a ton compared to buying it on Ebay. HCPL doesn't charge. The only fees involved are incured when items are returned late.
3. Kids Activities: Any library worth it's salt offers a summer reading program for kids. Often with prizes, programs and events all summer long. Libraries also offer storytimes, arts and crafts, computer classes, movie nights and reading clubs for kids of all ages. HCPL Fairbanks branch has hosted and will be hosting RockBand, Guitar Hero, Scrapbooking, Go Gaming, Speed Stacking, Science Camp, Olympic Rings Week, Saturday Matinees this summer, in addition to our year around storytimes.
4. Save Money and maybe your life!: Libraries offer seminars in home buying, estate planning and even purchasing electronics and other big-ticket items. Libraries also offer free blood pressure screenings, programs about weight loss and exercise. HCPL will be installing AED units in all their branches and many staff are trained to operate these units.
5. Make new friends: Library book clubs and book discussion groups are great ways to meet people. Some libraries even offer "mingling" events for single patrons. Many librarians are valuable people to know! The Fairbanks staff would make great friends!
6. Find a new job!: I can't tell you how many times local employers have come in asking to post job listings or drop off materials about open positions. Many libraries offer resume writing workshops, computer training and even job fairs. College and University library job fairs are often open to the public. Resume typing and printing are frequently done at our branch. We recently had a resume workshop as well.
7. Libraries listen to consumers!: We like to call them patrons, but we really do listen. Do you want a storytime for kids after 5pm? Ask for it! Want more books about home finance or budgeting? Just ask! Libraries often go to great pains to suss out what the community wants, letting us know directly is great. The complaint or suggestion of a patron carries a lot of weight with library directors and boards, so you are being heard. You may go to our library website hompage and suggest a purchase, get a library card, or sign up for our Adult Summer Reading Program where you could win a bookstore gift card in the amounts of $200.00 (for 1st prize), $150.00 (for 2nd prize), and $100.00 (for 3rd prize) after reading just 4 books!

I would also add these ways to save:

1. Need to find a new place to hold your meeting where you don't have to pay a deposit for the room or buy a round of $5.00 a cup coffees? Come to the library and use our meeting room, it's free! Click here for more information on using a HCPL meeting room.
2. Free Web 2.0 education: Check out our iHCPL, a learning program designed to explore new technologies.
3. Databases: The Library owns thousands of online full text serials and journal subscriptions. These are available both within the Library and over the Internet with a library card number.
4. Turn your air conditioning way up and come to the library instead and let us keep you cool. It is a chilly 72 degrees in our library even when it is 98 degrees outside.
5. Digital Media: With a HCPL library card you can download eAudio Books, eBooks, Music, and Videos 24/7 to your PC at home, in the office or from anywhere in the world, even for our military personnel serving our country overseas!
6. If you really want to tighten your belt cancel your internet service and use the library's FREE computers and FREE internet. Worried about getting a turn on a computer? If you own a wireless capable laptop bring it with you and use our FREE Wi-Fi. Other options include borrowing our laptops and our desktop computers. You can even call ahead to book one for the time you need it.
7. Don't pay someone to help you file your taxes or pay to file electronically, we have Tax Assistance - Volunteers help taxpayers prepare their returns during tax season and file the return electronically for you if you like.