Good Morning! I finally did it! yesterday I went into our Library and I picked up a Library Card! It was on my list of things to do this week and I needed one if I was going to do the Support your Library Challenge! I was looking for a few other books for one of the challenges and they had to pull them in from other libraries. I couldn’t leave empty handed so I did pick out one book:
Smoking cover right? I agree. And yes… it wasn’t until I came home that I discovered it was a sequel. That’s ok… I reserved that one too. 🙂
Book Journey 
Yay! A library card. I mostly download audiobooks. I can support the library and never leave the house.
Nicole that is awesome! I will need to look into that. I seriously have only gone to my Library twice a year each year for their spring and fall books sales. 🙂
I need to get to know it and what it has to offer.
Our local library is just a few blocks away. I drop by several times a week! I always reserve the books and DVDs I want, then just pick them up. So easy!
Margie I was so surprised just spending the little time I did in the Library – so many changes!
Congratulations on your library card! I got my first one at the age of eight, and our library was kind of pathetic (in this little village where we lived), but I was so impressed and magically transported to all the places books can take you. I still recall how it smelled! It was one-half of a building, with the post office on the other half.
I’ve had cards over the years and visited libraries in every town. It’s only lately that I’ve been remiss; but I did get a couple of books in December. The library is only a few blocks away and is beautiful. In fact, I donated one copy of each of my creations (books I wrote!) to this branch and sold copies to other branches in this city. I, and two other authors, did a panel discussion there, too. So the library is a great place to go.
I know that I’ve been buying more books in the past couple of years, though, and need to finish my TBR stacks! Progress is being made!
Oh, sorry, I’ve really been going on and on here…LOL
I have always had so many books to read of my own I just didnt go. If there was a “must have” I went out and bought it. Now though I am seeing the importance of supporting our libraries. I want to be more active in them – not only by getting books, but volunteering.
Oh…I’m back! Oh, no, you say…but I forgot to add that I registered online so that I can order books from the library, which is really great. Then they notify me when the books come in.
LOL Laurel – I just learned about that too. AWESOME!
Another nice feature at our library…you can get on an Author Alert list. When a new book by that author is ordered, you are notified by email. That way, you can usually get on the list early and not have to wait so long. You can also put a hold on your online reserves, so if you go on vacation your name still moves up on the list, but you don’t lose your spot at the top of the list.
Margie I will have to look into the author alert – that would be really cool!
Way to go! I practically live out ours. We have several branches, two of which I visit weekly. Nona is a member of the teen council at one which met last night. They finally have Wi-Fi, so I tried to catch up on email while she was there…still haven’t caught up, but I got a lot done.
J Kaye I really want to do some sort of volunteering too. They have a group called friends of the library. I am looking into that.
Congratulations Sheila :).
I use my library in spurts – I can go months without a visit and then get ‘sucked in’. I only use the online hold system. If there is a book that I just must read, I will sign up for it and hope the wait isn’t too long.
When you are clicking on sites and find a book that interests you, try to get in the habit to search availability at your library. This will help you establish a good habit and you will be adding books that you know you really want to read.
Elizabeth Gilbert’s book ‘Committed’ comes out today – the Omaha Library had about 12 copies on order and I’m number 3 on the list! I should get to read this book in the next week/two (I’m not sure how quickly the library releases the books). I have a few others on hold just like this. It’s like xmas morning 🙂
Have fun and enjoy!
Mari – I hope I will use it enough but not over do it… I think it will be great for some of the challenges I have signed up for but am not sure if I will enjoy the books enough to own them.
I have just spent the last half hour ordering books from my library online. Does your library allow you to do that too? I have both Ballad and Lament to read, as they were part of my Christmas haul.
I hope you enjoy using your library. It is one of my favourite places to go. All those unread books – heaven!
vivienne I like your style 🙂 I discovered I can do that too! Libraries have evolved.
Yes, I use my local library which is connected to a huge metro-system library. I go online and request books and then wait for my local library to let me know it’s in! It’s a beautiful thing 😀
I reserve all genres. I DON’T borrow paperbacks because they usually feel “yucky”. That’s the only way I can explain it. I also borrow audiobooks on cd and transfer to my iTouch at home.
Mary I need to look inot more of what my library offers and how I can use it.
LOL about the paperbacks… 🙂
I have had a library card since I was about 5-always getting one whereever I moved too. I believe in supporting the library-except for the one closest to my house (they were rather rude when I tried to donate 5 bags of books) the irony is that I took my books to them as opposed to the other libary I patronize as I thought they needed the books more. Now I know why. My library is awesome with guest lecturers-books on IPODS, movies, CD’s. A few years ago I rallied to save on of the libraries by the beach-I believe that the library is a use it or lose it faciility.
Esme your library sounds wonderful! I wish we had that. I know they occasionally do Minnesota authors. i will have to look into that.
PS that snow looks cold-how much snow do you have?
That is pretty much left from the big storm on Christmas. I think it was 12 inches total. Now it is just really cold. 23 below this morning.
I was always a familiar figure at the library anywhere I lived until I moved to a rural area. I donate tons of books to the local library’s book sale each summer but that’s it. Now, as soon as the TBR pile gets a little lower, I’m going to start borrowing books again.
Barbara I need to do that with some of my books – donate them to the library. Thats such a great cause.
Hip Hip Hooray, I’m so excited for you! The library is a wonderful place and I still remember how much I loved the small public library in Two Harbors. It was a beautiful buidling by the park.,
Next time we are int he area Ryan I am going to look up the Two Harbors Library. I think I know where it is…
Congratulations on finally getting your library card! I love my local library and try to stop by at least once a week. They have a library cart as you walk in with sale books, either donations or books pulled from the shelves for whatever reason. I rarely leave without at least one book off that cart!
I can also check availability of books online and place holds on them as well. Makes it so much easier to search from home. The library calls when the books come in, so it couldn’t be easier.
I’m so happy for you, as I’m a big library cheerleader! I’ve already let my husband know that a great library is at the top of my list next time we move, as I lucked out with this one. 🙂
Have fun!
Alexia I hope to get in the habit of stopping in the library. It is only about 3 miles from my home and a few blocks from teh gym I frequent. I really have no excuse.
I have had a library card since I began reading. My mom was an avid reader, and I luckily inherited the ‘reading’ gene!
I use both the Brainerd library and the Little Falls library on a constant basis.
One of my favorite items to check out is books on Playaway ( a little self contained book on a mp3 player); try them, they are wonderful!
I utilize the library online also, it is great to request a book that someone has recommended!
Rosanne that is so cool! I am really impressed with Brainerd. They have come a long ways since my high school days when I used to go there.
Good morning Sheila,
I use my local library for 95% of my reading. I am disabled so when I hear about a good read, the first thing I do is go on-line with the library to see if they have the book. If the library has it, I put myself on the waitlist. My husband always picks up the book I’m waiting for at my local library. I visit my local library approximately 10 times a year, due to my disability. I would say 4% of my books come from friends or relatives – books they have read and thought I’d be interested in. 1% of my reading comes from a local bookstore. For instance if I’m number 500 on the waiting list to receive a book (no I’m not exaggerating) at the library, then I might resort to purchasing the book. This does not happen very often – maybe two or three times a year.
Alexa – you are a truly wonderful example of how to use a library well. I love that you get most of your reading there. That is amazing that you can be #500 on a list! I have tried to get a new release from a library but maybe I will soon and I will see what happens here. 🙂
I use mine mainly for reasearch or new hobby books. I want to start it for fiction but my libraries are always out.
Ballad is good but Lament is a better read IMO. Enjoy.
Thanks MOnica – I am excited to read both.
I LOVE my library. I look up books on their website that I’m interested in (maybe I saw one at the bookstore or read about one in a magazine). If they have it, I either go get it or as is usually the case since I like the latest best sellers, I put my name on the hold list. Right now I’m reading “The Kids Are All Right,” which was highlighted in People magazine a few months ago. It’s really good.
So yes!! I love the library! Saves me lots of money 🙂
Lynne I am going to learn to love my library. I am going to do the live your five project through Kay Cassidys blog and this is going to be one of the five. Helping others embrace the love to read.
I was a frequent library user as a child, but hadn’t been in one since college until just a couple of months ago when I got a library card for my local library.
I doubt I’ll go in much to borrow physical books, but I am looking forward to trying out the e-book lending program. Seems like a great set-up, download the books on your computer and they delete themselves when your time is up!
I want to try audios from the library Jody.
As a teacher librarian, I am so excited that you got a library card! We use ours mostly for books that my daughter wants to read that we don’t have.
LOL Helen! Thanks!
You’ll love your library! I’m a nerd when it comes to the library. I can spend hours in it LOL!
Natalie I will do that too I think. Yesterday I was on limited time so I just quickly walked through it and signed up.
Good for you! I renewed mine today. It was almost expired. I use the library quite a bit for book club reads and anything I hear about online. I love to put holds on things over the internet.
I wish I could borrow e-books but they don’t have them yet. Soon though I was told.
I didnt even know they expired Chrisbookarama 🙂
I am not into ebooks…. yet 🙂
congrats on your library card!! 🙂
you’ll love it! I use mine on a weekly basis 😀 well it’s not mine…it’s my hombre’s. It’s put to good use tho.
I like my library although wish more books I want were available instead of thru inter library loan ….
Thanks Karoline! 🙂
Yay!!! I’m glad you got a library card. I’ve had a library card since I was in grade school. My mom used to take me and my brother and drop us off whenever we wanted to pick up some new books or had a school report to do. I love the library. The one I use now is huge, and I like going online first to see if they have the book I want there, if not, I can order it and they email me when it arrives.
Good luck with the 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge! I’m giving it a try too!
Vicki thats a great use of your library. You inspire me to do this well. 🙂
Glad to see you are on the challenge too!
I use mine for probably 90% of my reading! I don’t like buying a book unless I’ve read it first so the library is essential.
Lydia I love having books in my home (this is the problem LOL) I go crazy at book sales and travel to get to them. I love garage sales becasue I can find great books!
The Library is a great challenge for me. 🙂
I love using my local library! I actually use 3 local libraries – my town, the school I teach in, and the library I volunteer in. I use it for as much reading as possible because I’m really trying to be good with staying in my budget. Have fun with your new library card!
thanks nanscorner! That is awesome that you use three libraries!
Our local library system is pretty good and I use it a ton! I am able to get most books I’m looking for, reserve them and pick them up when the arrive. The family joke is that my “superpower” is that I’ve memorized my library barcode, making it easier to reserve online!
Julie – you have memorized your card #? Now thats dedication – LOL!
I use my library a whole lot! I check out audiobooks and load them onto my ipod.
Holly, I am getting an Ipod soon just so I can listen to books while doing those long bike rides I enjoy so much. 🙂
I used to use my local library all the time, but now that I have about $35 owing in overdue fines I haven’t been back. As soon as I can bare to pay the money I will get back into the library regularly.
This year I am posting pictures of libraries and library statues on my blog. The first post is already up: http://thereadingjourney.blogspot.com/2010/01/literary-excursion.html
Jemima good point – I had better take a look at due dates. 🙂
We have a library card here. I took my son and we both got one a few months back. I thought it would be a great place for him to check out books till he found what he wanted to read and try different genres. The only thing is the library is a little over whelming to him. And I hate to admit it but it is a little overwhelming to me as well at times. In the way that I have a really hard time finding the books I want. I just need to spend more time there to get to know there system.
I hope you enjoy going to the library!
Melissa- I think that is a great way to teach kids responsibility as well as start a love for books! 🙂
I admit to being overwhelmed as well…. I think I looked like I had never been in a library before.
I think in part for me is I am use to the way the bookstores set up their shelves and the library is different. It seems there are many genre mixed together. That an sooooo many more books for the genre than I am use to seeing in the bookstores too. Then I get all confused and can’t make a decision. lol.
I don’t go to the library near as often as I should, mainly because I don’t have the time. I did go to the school library yesterday to get a Nancy Drew book for the Nancy Drew challenge I joined.
Great post today!
There’s a Nancy Drew challenge Julie? Love Nancy Drew!
While I am a book collector and like to keep my own books, I have always used the public library for my children. In this world of high-tech reading, e-books, etc…., I still think it’s very important to bring your children to the library often and let them experience the joys of selecting their own books with their own library card.
Great comment Joanne!
I have to get back into the library habit–once the roads are decent again! I miss my audiobooks. I had to stop checking out real books–I just wasn’t getting through them as fast as I was checking them out.
Lisa – I am afraid of that too…. I will have to limit my check outs.
I finally have the Gilmore mini challenge up…. the post took forever to write! 🙂
I am so glad to see that so many of you use and support your libraries. I work in a small county library. We are terribly underfunded, as are many others (The average per capita funding in our state is about $34. Our county’s is just under $3.) It makes it hard to put books on the shel, offer programs and pay the staff. Those of us who work there do it for the love of the job. Rural librarians are poorly paid. Volunteers are important, as are donations.
I love introducing patrons to new authors and finding just the right book for them. I run the children’s programs (which have been cut this year) and took over our senior delivery program. We bring books to those who are homebound or have a hard time getting to the library and selecting books.
Libraries are so important to their communities. We provide free internet access, summer reading programs for children and adults, a history and genealogy room, computer classes, books, audio books, and videos.
If you talk to most librarians, you’ll find they love their jobs. I do.
Thanks Pat! 🙂