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August 16, 2012

13 Benefits of the Public Library

Thursday Thirteen

My introduction to libraries came at a young age, and I haven’t looked back. I spend hours in the library, so it’s a worthy topic for a TT.

Thirteen Benefits of the Public Library

1. It’s free. Anything free is good.

2. A library houses books and gives away information!

3. No matter what your interest, you’ll find books to suit your needs.

4. They have special story times for kids.

5. If the kids become too much, you can search the library catalogue online from the comfort of your home. I reserve books online all the time.

6. If another patron has the book you require it’s easy to reserve it, and the library email you when the book becomes available.

7. It’s a great place for research. The library is my go-to place for all things research.

8. Besides books, the library lends music, sheet music, audio books, videos and magazines. They also have computers and family genealogical records.

9. My local library does some nifty newsletters including a romance one. I subscribe to the romance, young adult, travel and history newsletters.

10. If the library doesn’t have a particular book, you can suggest they purchase it. My library is excellent in this respect.

11. The librarian stereotypes don’t fit. They don’t go around saying shush all the time. I’ve found them very approachable and willing to help. They’re up on social media these days. My library tweets.

12. I can return my books to any of the libraries in the Auckland area. Very convenient!

13. I can check out as many books as I want.

Are you a member of your local library? Can you think of any other benefits?

29 Comments

  1. Mary Kirkland

    I love the library. I can check out up to 35 books for two weeks at a time and renew them one time online.

    • Shelley Munro

      Online catalogue access is the best thing!

  2. sandy ibeati

    ours has become very expensive

  3. Savannah Chase

    Love the list..Funny thing..Going to spend the day at the library today again..Love being there.

    • Shelley Munro

      I’m off to the library today too. :)

  4. Brinda

    I love libraries. I currently only use their digital library to download audiobooks, but I love browsing in the brick and mortar ones as well.

    • Shelley Munro

      I’ve been doing the audio book thing this year too. I’m listening to a JD Robb book at present. I adore audio books.

  5. Colleen@LooseLeafNotes

    They are like embassies. In any town or state I’m in I can feel safe and informed there!

  6. Shawna {The Blue Muse}

    LOVE this post. I’ve recently started patronizing the library again. Realllly love the ability to check out e-books.

    • Shelley Munro

      I like the ebooks too. I love that libraries keep up with technology.

  7. Alice Audrey

    I used to haunt the library all the time. Now I spend all my time online. Luckily, my library reached out to me and made a lot of books available online.

    • Shelley Munro

      I use the online feature to research quite a bit, and it’s so cool reserving books from the comfort of my chair.

  8. Angela Brown

    Libraries around the world may differ in architecture, amount of books available, additional services and other things, but they’re all united in the cause of bringing “words” and knowledge to the masses. It’s all up to the individual to choose to know.

    • Shelley Munro

      Nodding. So true and eloquently put, Angela.

  9. H.A. Fowler

    Oh, I so adore my public library. I’d be completely lost without its resources!

    • Shelley Munro

      Me too. The first thing I did when I went to London to live was check out the nearest library.

    • Shelley Munro

      That’s success :)

  10. CountryDew

    I love my library. I used to serve on the local library board (an appointed, state-required position here), and loved every minute of it. It was a wonderful thing to be a part of.

    Great post!

    • Shelley Munro

      It would be interesting to serve on a board. I’m not sure how our library works but our rates contribute to the running costs here in NZ.

  11. S. J. Maylee

    I could live at the library. The hold systems are a dream. My boys think the world of the library, I’m starting them young too, as I should. It’s the “fun building” with books, story time, magicians, lego day and let’s not forget big truck day :) Our libraries are doing a tremendous job of expanding their reach. A big yeah to the librarians.

    • Shelley Munro

      It would be easy to live in a library. I always leave with way too many books!

  12. Maria Zannini

    I live too far from any physical library, but they’ll always hold a special place in my heart.

    When I was dating what would be my future hubby, the library was our favorite date spot. We’d spend hours perusing the shelves and when we found a good spot, we’d sit on the floor and read.

    We were geeky and in love. LOL.

  13. A. Catherine Noon

    I love the library. They have pianos at the downtown branch here in Chicago; I’ve gotten to play in a practice room and use sheet music they have there. Awesome!

  14. Adelle Laudan

    Quite a few years ago I lived in a small town, and directly across the street from the library. I swear I read every book in that place lol I haven’t been to the library here in the big city. I’ll have to remedy that. Happy Belated T13!

  15. Sandra Cox

    You can’t beat a good lbrary.

  16. Sandra Cox

    whoops, noticed the i was missing as I hit the send button.

  17. Heather

    Great post, Shelley! My sisters and I used to haunt the library all the time growing up, especially in summer. I confess, though, that I have not used the library in more than a decade. I don’t drive, and am not within walking distance of any branch in my area. One branch’s monthly used book sale facility is across from my grocery store, though, so I do frequent that and donate to it whenever possible.