working the system

Encinitas Library

I know how to work the system.  Want music or movies for free?  Well, have I got a deal for you.  It’s rather old fashioned, actually.  It’s called a library.  Remember those?  Outside of reading circle for babies and toddlers, there’s so much more to get than just books.

I love music.  Back when we lived in San Francisco, my favorite Sundays were when I could take off for a few hours and hunt for cds in Rasputin’s or Amoeba Records.  These are HUGEMONGUS music stores, with multiple floors of new and used music and video.  The best part is that you could return the used music you’d bought for 75 cents on the dollar.  That was awesome for me because $100 at that rate could last a good number of buy, burn and return visits.  I was disappointed when I moved to SoCal and there wasn’t a nearby equivalent.  Not even close.  Locally, Lou’s Records is a ghastly-paled comparison.

When Husband and I were on major cutback mode (still are), MIL suggested that I try the library for movies (instead of Netflix), music (instead of lame-o Lou’s), and books (well, I had found a good used book store here, but the library is free).  Have you looked lately on how much you spend on movie rentals, books and music?  You may be surprised.  I know I was. Now I have a SUPER SYSTEM that keeps our costs way down, videos stacked up, tons of books read (mostly for the kids) and plenty of fresh music in my ipod.  All it takes is my computer (which I’m on all the time anyway) and some planning.

Remember last month when I had a mini mommy-freak-out about the boys learning how to swim?  Swim lessons have been a lot better and no more tears.  Go figure, they even think it’s kinda fun.  Well, I made my own “Swimming Is Fun” campaign and I used the library to help.  I did a search online on my county library’s website.  I found 10 kids books about swimming and fun in the water for positive reinforcement.  I read them a few each night along with showing them pictures of kids their age swimming in pools and at the beach.  I think it really helped.

Here’s the super system: Use the online library to reserve/request the books, music and all movies that you want.  Then when you run your errands (Fridays for me when the kids are in day care, so I don’t have to deal with books being knocked off the shelf or temper tantrums), I just go to the hold stacks, pick up my requests and check it all out.  It’s kinda fun going to the stacks and seeing lots of stuff with your name on it!  Now this is a part of my regular Friday routine. Through the library’s online system, I can see what is due and what’s available to pick up to keep track of everything.  I know that every Friday I drop off due music, movies and books in the return box and pick up at the reserve stacks. When I request/reserve from the online system, they pull from over 30 libraries around the county (because it’s not all available at our little library) and while I may not be able to get everything immediately, I know my Friday is full of good surprises.

Every time I listen to Pandora or the radio, there are always new songs I love and bands I’d like to know better.  Our library has everything from Vampire Weekend to Elvis Presley.  Want to strengthen your Blues knowledge? Do a search and reserve through the library.  Check them out and burn to your heart’s content.  IT’S FREE MUSIC!  No more $.99 with iTunes.  Get your cds from the library.  They haven’t had everything I’ve requested, but I’ve been very impressed.  The library even takes requests.

Our county library even has latest releases on movies!  I just saw Crazy Heart and An Education.  I had to wait 2-3 weeks from the time that I requested, but there are always lots of other movies to see.  Before I cancelled my Netflix account I printed out my queue and entered the selected movies in to the library request system 10 at a time.  Any kids’ movies you want to see that you haven’t in a long time?  Tired of your regular rotation?  Use the library to freshen it up.  There are great programs on DVDs from Discovery Kids and Popular Mechanics for Kids (they have a series about how things work, which was really interesting).  Oh have I mentioned?  Renting movies from the library is free!  Even better, I have week to watch.

Here’s the catch: knowledge is power and will save you in fees.  Know how many days you can check out books, movies and music.  For our library, we have 7 days for music and videos; books are 21 days.  Late fees can catch you by surprise unless you stay organized and well informed.  Movies are $1.00 per day when they are late.  Books are only a quarter, so I don’t freak out over that, but when you have 3 movies late for 3 days, yep, you can do the math.  Doing that every week becomes costly.  So don’t do it.  Find a way to make the weekly library visit a part of your routine.  If you haven’t watched the movies you rented then see if you can re-check them out online or return it.  You can always get it again later. (I’m saying this to you and to me again for the 100^th time.)

Working my library super system has been great for saving money and keeping the kids well stocked with new books.  I also have continued my music addiction and I’m up to date on the new movie rental releases, because you know Husband & I don’t go out on dates often enough.

I’d love to hear how you use your library outside of reading time with the kiddos.  And be sure to check out the summer reading programs.  There are lots of kiddy swag and fun family programs to be had.  Go old school, check out your local library.  Cheers friends!