I Love the Public Library

The glories of a strong cup of coffee- I miss you

I've lived in a myriad of cities. Next to finding the farmer's market (my current city doesn't have one), I find the library. 

Honestly, I HAVE to know where the free books are.

There is something about walking into building - perhaps the last free space on earth - and being surrounded by so much entertainment, knowledge and beauty.

Most everything you want to learn lies between those walls.

Librarians are one of the most untapped resources in public spaces

I make sure to ask for my librarian's assistance on copious topics. Although I am no stranger to being able to navigate the library system, I always assume there is something that the librarian knows that I don't know. This is often the case. 

If you are ever in the library, take this challenge: Go to the librarian and ask for help locating a book on a topic that you're unused to. You'd be surprised at how much they can help you.

What to do if you can't afford books

My local library has a recommendation system. Patrons are allowed to recommend one book every 30 days. It doesn't mean they will buy it, but in my case they purchase about 60% of my recommended books!! I think it's because I recommend a lot of obscure literary fiction novels.

The best part about this is that the novels stay in rotation and other patrons can then check them out or see them listed as options for reading!

You can moderate your book shopping with library shopping

If I feel like buying a ton of books (which happens ever so often), I can scratch that itch with a few hours at my local library.

I can leave with an armful of novels and nonfiction and come home and look at the pretty pretty stack on my table.

This is a great way to see what I want to purchase to own (especially because I'm an almost exclusive Kindle reader). The stakes were low. I borrowed the book from the library, read a few chapters, decided I loved it, got it on kindle and finished it.

OR (more rarely, but still likely), I read the book in physical form from the library, enjoyed it (or didn't) and was grateful I didn't have to pay $14.99 for a kindle book that I didn't enjoy

Unpopular Opinion: Library books can be better than owned books

How many unhaul videos have you seen? 

How many times have you given books away to clear out space? 

How many of those did you think, "I didn't really love this?"

As a bookish minimalist, I will NOT exceed ONE bookshelf in my house. The books on it are my absolute favorites to thumb through and my favorites to re-read. I am. HUGE re-reader - always.

The library both digitally and physically allow you to read and try out the novel without committing to the shelf space. 

I don't care to impress anyone with my stacks of books in my house, and as far as the "The bookshelf is a conversation starter" plea, you can just as easily say "Have you read anything good lately?" And go from there. 

Do yourself a favor

Head out to your local library if you haven't been in a while. 

Access the value resource that is your librarian. 

Happy reading ☕️