I have never really realized until recently how lucky I am to have access to such an amazing library. I’ve seen posts about the library systems in other places and I’ve been horrified. There are places where you have to pay for your library? Pay to put a book on hold? Pay for inter-library loan?
I’m SO spoiled!! My library is like a bookish heaven, and I’m really thankful for it. First of all, it has a really fantastic selection. Now, don’t get me wrong – I’ve seen bigger libraries, and fancier ones. But my library has most of the books that I want. And if it doesn’t have a book that has been published within the past year, I can put in a purchase request – the majority of the time the library has purchased the books I’ve suggested.
I can easily put books on hold (from my laptop, while sitting on my couch). Oh, and then when I want to pick my books up? Well, the library’s only five minutes away, and there’s a drive-through pick-up window. Seriously, you could not get any more convenient.
And if I can’t find a book I want? Well, then there’s inter-library loan. I am lucky to live in the Chicagoland area and my library is connected to quite a few other suburban libraries. Almost always, if my library doesn’t have a book, I can get it from another library – it will typically be waiting for me within a week.
Now, of course, I pay taxes, but I don’t have to pay any other fees for my library (well, except late fees, but … that’s my own darn fault … and even those are really reasonable).
Oh, plus, the library offers ebooks and audiobooks (though I really have only used those a couple of times). They also occasionally do author events. And don’t even get me started on how awesome it is to have so many thousands of kids’ books at our disposal – thankfully, my kids love to read as much as I do! (I’ve taught them well!)
So, I just want to give a big thank you to my public library. I’ve taken you for granted for way too long!
How about you? Do you use your public library? Is yours as awesome as mine?
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