I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm and you can bet that one of my favourite places to visit is the library. Rarely do I buy books unless they are very special or of course they are a great secondhand find. Here are 10 reasons why you should check out your local library if you haven’t already done so.
1. It’s free.Joining the library is free. At my local library you can borrow up to 25 items at a time. Books can be held for three weeks and then may be renewed twice after that unless someone has reserved an item.
2. Save on recreational items.A wide range of items for borrowing held may include LOTE, large print, magazines, audio books, sheet music, electronic games, DVDs, CDs and CD-ROMs. I never hire DVDs at the video store anymore. My library includes a lot of arthouse/foreign films which I enjoy. Every now and then I’ll check the new items listing in the catalogue and reserve each title I want to see. The library then notifies me when they’re through.
3. Reserve/Request Titles.If you’re after a certain item it is possible to reserve it. With some libraries you may need to pay a small fee, like around 50 cents. You can use Library Link to request items other Victorian public libraries hold, otherwise you may be able to put in a formal request for your library to actually purchase the item for you (within guidelines). My library has a form for this online.
4. Home access to library catalogue/databases.From the library’s web page you can access the library catalogue. Once you have set up your own password you can then renew/reserve items online – a great timesaving tool. You also may have access to further electronic databases on subjects such as art, business, genealogy, health and science.
5. Children’s Activities.Libraries have numerous activities for children such as rhymetime and storytime for preschoolers and some have even attempted bilingual storytime. During the current school holidays I’ve also seen a range of kids’ activities advertised including cooking, bookmaking, kung fu classes and hip hop dancing. Who said libraries had to be quiet?
6. Study Areas.There are usually separate study areas/rooms at libraries with computer use, printing and internet also available.
7. Meeting Rooms.If you need to book and hire a meeting place your local library may just have what you need. They are usually quite large and have AV equipment available, air-conditioning and a self-contained kitchen.
8. Community Information.Libraries are a great source of news and events in your municipality. Check for noticeboards, leaflets and free parenting publications.
9. Art exhibitions.Some libraries have regular art exhibitions by local artists such as at the City Library in Flinders Lane which has a gallery upstairs (yes a proper one).
10. Learn something new.Most libraries hold classes of some kind, eg Pilates. One upcoming class at my library I'm tempted to join is on online social networking. There are also regular speakers, book clubs and writers’ groups.
Newer libraries may have a parents’ room with baby change facilities and nifty self-checkout machines. They may also hold regular book sales throughout the year. You can find a listing of all Victorian public libraries here.
Libraries have come a long way - check them out. (I do admit I’m a nerd)
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