I know a number of people on here think about using their local library and don't. I want to tell you just how easy it is and how worth getting a library card is, at least for me in small town, USA.
After signing up for a card in person, I use my phone to browse the libraries website, mostly for movies and TV shows, some music too. I live in a small town but it's connected to many libraries around me, so the selection is good. I find the movie I want while browsing at home, put it on hold using the website, then the library sends me a text or email when the item is ready to be picked up (usually two days later if the library is available at another branch). I either use the drive up window to pick it up, or I just go into the hold area (right up front) to pick up my materials. The whole thing takes less than 5 minutes. They have Netflix original movies and shows several months after they come out, they have all the popular movies that have been released the last few years, and obviously many more titles to choose from. Everything at my finger tips and all it costs is a five minute trip to the library. Oh and I get an email about things becoming due so I can renew online, so no late fees.
I check out books frequently as well, but go through movies a lot quicker. Another bonus: it can be very fun to browse the movie titles old-school. Oh and there's a reading app for ebooks, so I can check out and read ebooks without ever leaving my house.
So if you're on the fence about it, just realize that it's probably going to pay off way more than you think it will. I have checked out probably 50 dvds this summer, all of which were not on Netflix/Amazon/Hulu/TubiTV. It's probably saved me a decent amount of money, not going out or paying for movies on Amazon. And I'm supporting a local library, which is also important to me.
Hope this post encourages at least one person!
Tl;Dr: Using the library is easy and free, from the comfort of your couch.
August 25, 2018 at 11:22AM
