bentley (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} bentleywg) wrote,@ 2003-04-24 08:50:00 |
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GEICO magazine article about libraries
Money Wise: There's Loot at the Library, by Melanie Kellar. GEICO Direct magazine, Spring 2003.
Malcolm Forbes once described the library as a place of "endless, incredible loot," and if you haven't been in one lately, you might be surprised at all that's offered.
Of course, you can find and borrow books, but depending on your locale, you can find books-on-tape, newspapers, magazines, video-tapes, music CDs, DVDs, and more--most for free with your library card.
According to the American Library Association (ALA), the average person checks out seven library books a year. Some libraries will not only find a title--no matter how obscure--they'll deliver the item to your door. "Librarians are the ultimate search engine," notes Maurice Freedman, ALA president.
Add to all that the potential cost of trying a few CDs and a multitude of children's books, and you're talking about a savings of hundred of dollars a year--just in tangible costs.
But don't forget the intangible value. Kids can take a break from television to participate in a theatrical production, become mesmerized by a local storyteller or even see a yo-yo champ perform. And you can try before you buy, which is especially important with kids. See if certain music or magazines fill the bill before you purchase or subscribe.
Technology Abounds
Don't have a computer? You can go online at the library. Surf the Web, send an e-mail or even take a free computer class to get you started. The level of technology and sheer amount of information available is surprising to many people, notes Toni Garvey, city librarian in Phoenix, Ariz.
"Magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias and more are all in electronic format and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at many libraries," she says.
And if your library does not offer what you want, speak up, Freedman urges. "Public libraries are focused on being responsive to their community," he says.
So if you're overdue for a visit and want to save a few dollars, head over to pick out a movie, research your family tree, enjoy the arts or become an armchair traveler. The "loot" is there for the taking.
Money Wise: There's Loot at the Library, by Melanie Kellar. GEICO Direct magazine, Spring 2003.
Malcolm Forbes once described the library as a place of "endless, incredible loot," and if you haven't been in one lately, you might be surprised at all that's offered.
Of course, you can find and borrow books, but depending on your locale, you can find books-on-tape, newspapers, magazines, video-tapes, music CDs, DVDs, and more--most for free with your library card.
According to the American Library Association (ALA), the average person checks out seven library books a year. Some libraries will not only find a title--no matter how obscure--they'll deliver the item to your door. "Librarians are the ultimate search engine," notes Maurice Freedman, ALA president.
Add to all that the potential cost of trying a few CDs and a multitude of children's books, and you're talking about a savings of hundred of dollars a year--just in tangible costs.
But don't forget the intangible value. Kids can take a break from television to participate in a theatrical production, become mesmerized by a local storyteller or even see a yo-yo champ perform. And you can try before you buy, which is especially important with kids. See if certain music or magazines fill the bill before you purchase or subscribe.
Technology Abounds
Don't have a computer? You can go online at the library. Surf the Web, send an e-mail or even take a free computer class to get you started. The level of technology and sheer amount of information available is surprising to many people, notes Toni Garvey, city librarian in Phoenix, Ariz.
"Magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias and more are all in electronic format and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at many libraries," she says.
And if your library does not offer what you want, speak up, Freedman urges. "Public libraries are focused on being responsive to their community," he says.
So if you're overdue for a visit and want to save a few dollars, head over to pick out a movie, research your family tree, enjoy the arts or become an armchair traveler. The "loot" is there for the taking.
