Hear me out.
I have to believe that most of you who read Book Journey are in fact lovers of the written word. A great percentage of you are not only readers, but reviewers and book bloggers such as myself. And quite honestly a library challenge may not be all that appealing to a book reviewer/blogger as we receive so many books for review in the mail that there is no need for a stop at your local library.
Hear me out.
HOWEVER, it would be remiss of me and perhaps you as well – if we did not acknowledge the struggle most of our libraries go through to show their worth in the modern-day of e-readers, and of course the ever-present pull of all things that take people away from reading.
I admit, I am not always the best library user. I am President of our local Friends group that supports our library, yet I have plenty of books of read at home to read and more coming weekly to my doorstep.
This challenge is also for me.
If we the readers that gush about books on blogs and social media and to our friends can not as well as promote and support our libraries than what are we doing? Not everyone who reads this blog is a reviewer or has access to the books through an e reader or in some cases have the means to purchase the books they wish to read. Our local libraries are simply a library card away and a book can be waiting to be enjoyed.
I don’t want to go on and on so basically this challenge will be for you to get to know your local library in 2015. If like our library, you have access to on-line holds, I suggest you do what I do when browsing blogs or other book sites; have the page open to your library reserve as well and borrow books as you see the awesome ones you wish to read. I will do it. Will you do this with me?
I obviously would be thrilled if you went the extra mile and found out what else your library has to offer and shared it on your websites (if you blog). For instance ours offers computer classes to teach people how to use their computers, IPADS, e-readers and more. We offer movies and book in the bag so book clubs can check out 10 books at a time. Anyone that has a start-up post for this challenge that mentions things their own library offers beyond the books will go into a drawing for a $20 Amazon gift card (I know I know… that defeats the purpose, but maybe get a book bag if you win to hold all your library books 🙂 )
And of course.. there are fun levels of commitment:
1-5 check outs in 2015 – NOVICE
6-11 check outs in 2015 – ROOKIE
12- 16 check outs in 2015 – INTERMEDIATE
17 – 22 check outs in 2015 – SEASONED
23 – 27 check outs in 2015 – EXPERIENCED
28 + check outs in 2015 – GOING PRO!
Check outs count for anything bookish – books, audio, even e-reader book check outs (yes, libraries have these now!). Go… meet your library again and fall in love. 🙂
And a shameless plug for the Friends Of The Library. If your library has this group, consider signing up. It is usually quite inexpensive to be a member and your membership supports your local library. As book lovers, we are a huge community asset and by sharing our love of books with others we are breathing life into the written word and into our libraries.
Sign up today – write a post and link it here.. I will announce a winner of the gift certificate on January 2nd. I will also post updates throughout the year to encourage further library exploration.
Write your post and use the link below to connect it. Now bloggers are welcome to join in as well, let me know of your participation and level in the comments below 😉
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Book Journey 
love this – i’m on first name basis with my library and quite often provide recommendations for YA fiction to them – but i’m always up for providing more support 😉
Wonderful! Glad to have you Dee!
I’m in!! I fell in love with my first library at age 6. Libraries are awesome!
That they are 😀 Glad you will be joining in Vicki!
I was at 28+ so I’m a pro! I just applied to be on our library’s board of directors! Eeks I’m kind of scared but excited! Our library does Paws to Read where kids can practice their reading skills by reading to a dog!!
YAY Elaine! I too am on the City Library Board and the Minnesota State Friends Of The Library Board. Glad to have you on “board” 😛
Sheila, your post made me look at my online library account and you’ll be happy to hear that in the past 2 years (since 12/27/12) I’ve checked out 567 items,mostly books, only a few audio and a small bunch of videos, so I’m “Going Pro” automatically lol
I don’t know if I’ll have to time to write up a post any time soon (have others in the queue), but plan to someday, just not necessarily in time for your encouraging giveaway! GO, libraries!!! 😀
Nice job! You put me to shame for sure! 😀 Write your post any time and link it then – no worries and no time limit.
Sheila, put YOU to shame?! Hell no! lol Only some are novels which I don’t always get to read. Most are picture books!
I am a huge supporter of my library, so this would not be a challenge for me. NOT going to the library would be the challenge, one I would not attempt though! I heartily support this challenge.
I am glad to here that Nise!
Sheila, I love the idea of this challenge. I hope to join in!
I hope you do too Suko!
I did do a library challenge last year and got me going there more. However for 2015 definitely going to sign up for yours!
Awesome! I love that you did a challenge too – get people to the libraries! 😀
That sounds like a great challenge! Unfortunately I am living in Naples, Italy for a couple of years and there are no libraries near me.
Oh that is sad Cynthia! I am curious, were there once libraries? How do you get your books?
Oh, to be in Naples, Italy *sigh* But without a library! I hope there are at least bookstores you can browse 🙂
I’ve already signed on for three/ four ( one counts for GoodReads Challenge 2015) but this is a definate no brainer at beyond the highest level. I spend enough time there anyway…..
YAY!!! And I forgot about the Goodreads Challenge – that one is a for sure for me as well… just where to set my goal this coming year… 😀
I’m sad to say that I haven’t actually stepped inside a library since I’ve left high school (around 2007). But I do use my library’s overdrive app, and check out ebooks and audiobooks!
I’m definitely up for this, I’d love to fall in love with the library again!
That is awesome and that is exactly what this challenge is about! Getting to know your library again! 🙂
I love this! I’m also on the Friends of the Library board at my local branch and I use the library more than a normal human should. Between ebooks, eaudiobooks, audiobooks, books, movies, and book club bundles (ours is called ‘books to go’), I’m pretty sure I could hit your PRO status in a month. I’m not going to formerly participate, but you’ve made me realize I need to do a post about library love. I haven’t done one in a while. Thank you!
Awesome! 😀
I’m in for the Pro Level.
That is great!
I’m signing up and will put up a post soon linking it. I’m not sure what level I will choose yet– sometimes when I go to the library I check out a few, but also wind up buying a stack of used books in the attached Friends of the Library store 🙂 Thanks for recognizing libraries!
*Sorry, please delete above post from me–wrong facebook address, yikes.
That is so cool! Our library does not have room for a permanent book sale spot but wish we did 🙂
How cool to have a Friends store – we do not have room at our current space for that.
Great idea Sheila! I do exactly as you mention, and reserve many books via the library that catch my eye on various blogs.
Oh good 🙂 I used to be better at it but I am going to do better this year!
What a great idea! I used to visit my local library a lot, but have actually fallen back a bit recently. This is the perfect way to fall in love with my library again. I’m definitely in!
Awesome!!!
I love my library so much that I became an employee! Great challenge. 🙂
I love that!
Pick meeeee !!! I’m so in 🙂 I haven’t actually kept track of how many things I checked out this year, so this’ll be fun.
Sweet!!! Love the enthusiasm!
We are doing one too over in the romance area 🙂 I love that the love of the library is so strong out here in the blogsphere!
I love that too 🙂 YAY Libraries!
I can’t possibly spend any more time at my library 😉 However, just to give you a little encouragement – historically, the most ardent library supporters have been those who understand the value but don’t actually need them. You fit right in!!
LOVE that!
I am signing up for this Sheila. My post will be up on the 9th and I am doing 28+
Super! 😀
luving the comments in response to your challenge, Sheila – I’m a lifelong library fan, thanks to my mom walking us across town to pick out books as wee kiddos!
Posted and in at the Pro level – Yes to Library Love and support!
Super!
I joined the challenge and posted about it here: http://bookreviewsbyjulie.blogspot.com/2014/12/2015-library-challenge.html
I have a very new blog and I’d love some followers. Thank you for hosting this challenge!
Great! What a super way to get involved with other book lovers 🙂
I’ve been trying to reconnect with my local library after spending too much time on Netgalley. This challenge is exactly what I’m looking for in 2015
Awesome!!!
I do the Library Books Read-A-Thon in June. It would be great if you would be willing to do a guest post this year. I will be joining the challenge in January. I love the library and it saves me so much money so it is totally worth it.
I would love to do a post for the Library book Read-A-Thon! How fun!
We go to the library once a week but it’s usually for children’s books. I’ve been thinking that I should really utilize my library more and this is the perfect way to do it. I’ve just started getting audio books from them through Overdrive and have been loving it. I’m going to with Intermediate level. Can’t wait!
Oh sweet! I love to hear this!
I love this challenge. I’m a huge fan of libraries and even more so now. My daughter is the Youth Services Librarian at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Main Branch. This is the library system she grew up using and she loves being able to give back.
The link for my challenge page is: http://susans2015readingblog.blogspot.com/p/library-challenge.html
Forgot to mention that our library also has movies and magazines, ebooks, lots of great programs for all ages, meeting rooms, and an awesome Friends of the Library book sale every year.
Super! I love hearing about great libraries!!!
This is a great challenge! I would love to see more people using library resources. I work at one of my local libraries. It amazes me how many people simply don’t know what libraries have to offer. Kudos to you for promoting library usage:) I work at a teeny library and even we offer Paws to Read, GED tutoring, Adult literacy, ESL convo clubs, and much more. Books are only one aspect of the spectrum 🙂
Exactly 😉
I’m going to aim for 17-22 book check outs for 2015. 🙂
I practically live in my library (it helps it’s at the bottom of my street) and would love to participate. Emma
That is great – thanks Emma!
My library is my go-to destination for new movie releases on DVD. And I even check out an occasional book although, seriously, I already have enough to read and listen to at home.
I’m a blogger but I don’t do any commissioned reviews. I don’t bother with it, tho I did write a policy if smb would be interested. I’m not, not really. 😛
This year I’ve joined too many challenges, I won’t finish them all. I’ve overestimated myself. But I can cheat with your challenge. So far 85% of books I’ve read are from library (I tag them on my GR). 😀 I can effortlessly (?) join as a pro, so I join at this level. For some time I want to write about my local libraries in Warsaw, Poland so I’ll kill two birds with one stone. What is Friends of Library?
I intend to support library with some books, after I do the Christmas cleanup and organise my bookshelves anew. I find it hard to give away any books. 😀
If you’d like to challenge yourself even more, I invite you to my A to Z challenge around the world (sorted by writer’s country). https://forculturessake.wordpress.com/2014/12/02/around-the-world-a-to-z-2015-reading-challenge/
Awesome – cheat away! 😛
Okie dokie, Sheila, my library post is up and running! I hope you like it 🙂
http://writersideup.com/2014/12/19/up-library-love-3/
I’m so glad you’re doing this and pointed me this way…I’m definitely going to be participating (and hopefully in one of the higher levels, I want to aim for at least a book a month!).
YAY!!!
Love this post! I began working in a library this past May and can honestly say that while we have some wonderful familiar faces there are sooo many who do not use the library and all it has to offer. It sounds like we have a similar library. We too offer so much beyond books that it really is more of a community center highlighting literature at the core. 🙂
YAY! Hope you join in the fun here!
Sheila, thank you so much for hosting this challenge. I love my library and I am already a pro! We have a strong Friends group. They have a huge fund raising event every summer. As a resort community we have oodles of beautiful homes so the Friends sponsor a “cottage” tour of 5 – 10 homes. It is an annual event and extremely popular. I love working th ticket “pick-up” because it is a great chance to meet people.
I have posted my Linky so I look forward to participation. Thanks again.
I would love to hear more about this fundraiser for the friends… it sounds wonderful!
We go to the library almost every week but rarely take out any books! it is a great library with a lovely, airy, bright children’s area. They have a small cafe inside, as well as a local-area shop. I’m not sure what else they do – I’m going to look into it.
I’m going to join the challenge! I’m shooting for 17 – 22 check outs in 2015 – SEASONED
Awesome!!!
I’m gonna do the intermediate 12-16 books now that I have my brand new awesome library card. Yep. Also hi, I’m pretty new to the book blogging scene, but since I have read your blog for a while now, I decided to go for it. 🙂
Super and welcome! I am so happy for you deciding to blog! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
I may surpass it, but I signed up for “rookie”.
YAY!!!!
I have signed up for the Seasoned Level–17-22 books! Thanks for hosting this challenge.
Love this challenge – thanks for hosting!!! Just linked up my post.
Challenge accepted. I once frequented the library – at least three times a week – and it became too convenient to 1-click from Amazon, as well as too costly. I, too, plan to utilize my local public library more this year.
Is there going to be a linky for reviews that we can post to?
Great question. Let me work on that 😀
Thank you for hosting this. The library is where I feed my non-fiction history addiction. Looking forward to reading everyone’s posts!
Love my library! Totally joining this challenge: https://romancingthebooksandapps.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/reading-challenge-2015-library-challenge/