Gone are the days when the image of a library is of an older librarian hushing everyone in sight. Today, the library is known as the place to go for family events, free yoga, and DVD rentals. The local library for many people, especially those that live in large cities, has proven to be a way to save money. Can’t believe it? Believe it!
How Your Local Library Can Save You Hundreds Of Dollars A Year
Fitness Programs– Forget your pricey gym membership. Your local library now gives you access to workout videos, nutrition books, and it even offers classes for different ages. Do you love yoga, but need an instructor? Many libraries offer evening yoga classes once a week in certain branches for adults. But libraries care about the kids too. Check out your library’s event pages online, see when they have meet-ups for yoga for mommy and me, or for school-age kids.
If your library loves to try new things, they may have monthly rotations for different workout programs each month, such as tai chi.
Cooking/Nutrition Classes– In the month of January, most libraries like to focus on health. This is the perfect time to snag a seat at a weekly nutrition class as well as a cooking class. You’ll have access to speak with a nutritionist for free, who can help guide you on your path to wellness.
Entertainment– How much do you spend now when you take your family out for one night’s worth of entertainment? Get your calendar ready, because it can easily get filled with the many events libraries hold at different branches in your city. You can be certain to catch family-friendly performances, concerts, movie nights, and community events at your local library; where many times if they have land attached, they take the event outside.
Free Internet– If you need to go online sporadically to pay a bill or reply to an email, the library is an excellent way to get onto the internet. You can even bring your own laptop and sign in to their WiFi.
Free DVD Rentals– Drop the cable and borrow movies from the library. They’re not all outdated, people donate new ones all the time. Plus, if you download the app from the library you should be able to borrow movies to watch on your device. They also have seasons, so watch out Netflix!
Free Book Rentals– Well, this was obvious. But did you know, you can usually find college textbooks or books for certifications at your local library? Keep renewing them and you’ll hopefully make it a whole semester without having to purchase an expensive college book! Remember, if your local branch does not have a certain book, they can usually request it from another library for you to borrow.
Tutoring– Whether your child needs help with homework, or needs help with studying for the SATs, most libraries have appointed days for helping your child thrive academically with the guide of a tutor.
Libraries also have events where they teach anyone how to use certain programs on the computer, such as Microsoft. They also offer how to start your own small business courses, resume building shops, and even parenting classes!
Summer Programs– Keeping your kids busy in the summer can seem like a full-time job, on top of a money drainer. Your local library has weekly (or more, hop on over to different branches) reading programs. The weekly reading programs are filled with fun. A volunteer reads about 2-3 books, and then after there’s a craft, snacks, and free time to play with Legos or whatever they bring out. Most libraries offer incentives for families to attend summer programs, such as raffles to win bikes, or tickets to free bowling.
In the summer, there are also different programs for older kids. Programs such as peaceful PRG (role-playing -think Minecraft), science programs, Lego programs, and even programs for cooking classes. The two words you should not hear from your child this summer is “I’m bored.”
Still not convinced your local library can save you hundreds of dollars a year? What if I told you, some libraries are beginning to lend out unconventional items? Items such as tools and fishing poles? On top of that, every so often, they give out passes to your local museums! Being active in your local library is an amazing way to stay involved in your community, enrich your mind, and save hundreds of dollars a year.
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