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I have to admit something. I didn’t have a library card for most of my adult life. And I had never walked through a public library door here in South Carolina until 2023. I spent a lot of time at the public library as a child. My mom regularly took me to the library to pick books or participate in events. I spent a good deal of time in the library at school as well.
But somewhere along the line, I just stopped seeing the value of going to the library. I think part of it was that I found it so much easier to just purchase digital books from Amazon. Except for one little problem. Most of the time I would only read a book I purchased digitally one time, and never picked it up again! I found that was a waste of my money! To make matters even worse, I was usually buying books new as well. That wasted even more of my money!
Recently I made the decision to spend less time on my phone and tablet. That included time used to read digital books. I wanted to start reading physical books more often. But I didn’t want to pay so much money for a book that I may only read once, So I made the decision to check out my local library!
So many options!
I was really amazed at how much a library offers! At the library system in my county, not only can you borrow physical books from across the library system, but there are so many more benefits. I was truly impressed by everything the public library has to offer. And I can see why it is such a valuable resource for the community as well.
Here are some of the benefits of using the public library:
Access to a wide variety of resources beyond books
Public libraries offer a lot of different resources. They do have physical books. But I found that they offer access to digital and audiobooks as well. They also had a lot of magazines and newspapers that can be read. I was excited to see the collection of DVDs and borrowed a couple of movies that I had wanted to watch. There were a couple of things that surprised me a bit. My public library offers access to many online databases that you can access for free or for a minimal fee. The most surprising thing about my public library is the library of things offered to the public. This library allows you to borrow things like lawn equipment, games, cookware, small appliances and so much more! Need a pressure washer to clean off your house or driveway? Some libraries may allow you to do just that.
Saves you money
Libraries are a cost-effective way to access a wealth of knowledge and entertainment. And they often provide access to resources that would be expensive to purchase outright. This may prevent some people from being able to access these things on their own. When I looked at how much money I was spending on digital books that I only read once, using the library card has become a no-brainer! It has also allowed me to preview books that I am considering purchasing for my own personal library. There are some books that I like to have and keep as resources. Being able to read them before purchasing helps me to discover if a book is a right fit for my personal library. If it is a fit, then I can purchase a used copy to keep on hand.
Increases education
Libraries provide a lot of additional educational resources that many people wouldn’t normally have access to. At the public library, you may find textbooks and study guides. There are also online resources and research databases that can help students succeed in school.
Brings community together
Libraries are often the heart of the community. They offer programs, events, and services that bring people together. My public library system offers all kinds of different events. You can find everything from storytime to lectures by professionals (a national park ranger recently came in to do a talk about frogs). There may also be events that have nothing to do with reading or education. My local library also offers things like a plant swap and a farmer’s market for the community. Libraries may also offer things like clubs and crafting or art events. There really is so much to do at the public library!
Encourages reading
Of course, first and foremost a library is a place for books. So libraries are a great place to foster a love of reading! And there are certainly countless titles and types of books available to explore. Many do offer special reading events and challenges. Each summer when I was a child, my local library held a reading challenge to see how many books kids could read during their time away from school. This certainly encouraged me to read more! And my creative mind loved getting to explore new worlds and meet new characters within each book.
Supports lifelong learning
I’ve always been a curious person and love to learn new things! And libraries provide so many resources for people of all ages to continue learning and exploring new ideas throughout their lives. You can learn new skills, learn about history, and so much more with everything that libraries provide.
Access to technology
Not everyone has access to different types of technology that they may need. But many libraries offer access to technology such as computers, printers, and Wi-Fi, which can be especially helpful for those who may not have access to such resources at home. Mine also offers access to a fax machine as well.
Career development
Are you looking for a new job or need the information to help advance you in your career? Libraries often offer workshops, classes, resume writing help, and other resources to support professional development and career advancement. My library even offers specialized help for those over 50 who are looking for career help in the digital world.
Helps preserve history
Libraries are often the guardians of local history, preserving documents, photographs, and other artifacts for future generations to learn from.
With all of these amazing benefits, you can see that owning a library card is very valuable. Public libraries provide a wealth of resources and benefits to individuals and communities. And getting that library card won’t cost you a thing! So if you don’t have your library card yet, what are you waiting for?
