When I started my book club over a year ago, I started off buying the books on Amazon (used and new), which was great because I could write in them, drop water on them (true story) and let friends borrow. That had to end quickly because we read a new book every month. That’d be 12 books a year, not counting all the random books my husband buys. A couple book club friends suggested I get a library card.
I did. And it changed my life.
First of all, the libraries of today are far different from the ones I used to hang at back when I was younger. Yes, I did get a physical library card, but I also got access to all the other cool resources:
-Put books on hold online
-Borrow books via Kindle
-Borrow audio books (particularly nice when reading funny people’s biographies: Tina Fey)
-If you put a book on hold and it’s at the main branch of the library, they’ll bring it to your local branch and you can pick it up there
-You can see how long it’ll take to get a book on hold (I’m #4000+ for Michelle Obama’s book, which someone just gifted to me!)
-They make recommendations based on your preferences
I mean, I’m really sad I didn’t get a library card when I lived in DC and NYC (come on NY Public Library!), but especially NYC because the library was next door to my office. It’s fine though, that was at a time when all I read was magazines or news articles.
But really I’m enjoying the resources from the library and if nothing else, I hope my ignorance and subsequent discovery will prompt you to visit your local library if you’re not already a member. Heck make it your New Years Resolution and go get a library card; and remember, the bigger the city, the better the resources!