Using the library

This is not the series that I was thinking about, but it can be a smaller series.

We are working on an activity that is kind of going to be about spring cleaning, though kind of not. That will take multiple posts, and there are things I do not necessarily want to give away just in case anyone who will come also reads my blog.

Regardless, one thing I was thinking about was how much the library saves.

When I was in school I used the libraries a lot. Once I had graduated it was not as convenient, plus having disposable income was exciting and I bought a lot of books. In addition to the money spent -- some of which was not necessary -- those books still takes up lots and lots of shelf space.

Sometimes I borrow something from the library and decide I want to own it. That is a much better reason for buying something than just thinking a book sounds interesting.

I remembered that once they gave us a year end printout with the number of items we had borrowed and the cumulative value. I thought that could be good information, so I asked about that yesterday.

Actually, if you get a checkout receipt, they always have the amount for that day's pickup. I don't usually get a receipt; I believe in reducing, reusing, and recycling, and it's not like I'm not regularly checking my due dates online. For research, I got the slip:

Today you saved $111.93 by using your library.

That was only five items. (We had just done a pickup on Thursday.) It was mainly picture books, though, and those are pricey.   

They were able to bring up a report for the year-to-date, which also gives the lifetime.

The amount saved for this year, as of March 29th, was $13,954.13. Lifetime was $105,411.07.

Now, I suspect that lifetime amount is only since the Aloha Community Library joined up with Washington County Cooperative Library Services, and also I doubt it counts the inter-library loan books (which we use a lot) as their prices would not be in the system.

Still, it's pretty impressive.

I was thinking about what would happen without the library. We would not spend that much. It wouldn't even be practical. We would certainly buy some, probably including some used, and maybe we would trade with friends, but mostly it would just be fewer books.

Perish the thought! 

It is recommended that children read (have read to them, really) one thousand books before starting kindergarten. Five years is over 1800 days, with daily reading starting early, there is plenty of time. 

Picture books are pricey. 

A child should have books that they own, too, and can get back to, but having a whole library system to choose from is so valuable.

I loved having a variety of books at home, and there are still old favorites, but it is a wonderful thing to have this rotating stock with so much available.

I love the library. Give it a chance and it will love you back.

https://www.wccls.org/using-library/get-card#mauticform_wrapper_verifyregister 

 
Related posts:

https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2014/07/library-memories-part-1.html