Better Than Netflix

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A year ago I rediscovered and fell back in love with the public library. I, as many kids, loved the library as a youth. All those shelves of colorful books! But as a teen I discovered Borders and Amazon and left the library behind like a tattered teddy bear.

Now, at a point in my life where frugality is so very important, I have reacquainted myself with the wonders of the library. One of my new favorite features is inter-library loan. I just “shop” for the books I want in the online catalog, and no matter which library they are located at, I can request them to be sent to the library closest to my house. Then when I visit the library, they are all waiting for me on the reserve shelf. It is a beautiful thing.

Everyone thinks of books first when they think of the library. But many overlook the library’s great DVD and CD selection. They are a frugal person’s best friend. Don’t ever rent a movie or buy a CD again. You may have checked out the library’s selection of CD’s and DVD’s some years ago and not been impressed. But at least here in Tulsa, and I imagine elsewhere as well, the variety and quantity has significantly improved.

I used to think that the public library only had CD’s from Irish folk bands or classical music. But I have happily been proved wrong. I have found Dashboard Confessional, the Arcade Fire, John Mayer, Maroon 5, Indigo Girls, Kayne West, and Death Cab for Cutie, to name a few. Why plunk down $15 for a new CD when you can check one out for free?
Admittedly if you are into extremely indie music, you probably won’t find any at the library, and you’ll have to keep buying your CDs from the guy with dark rimmed glasses and skinny jeans at your local independent CD store.

Downsides

There are only a couple of downsides to getting your media from the library. One is that with so many people renting the DVD’s, they often get scratched or broken. About 1 out of every 4 DVD’s I have rented have been unplayable or had glitches. But the biggest disadvantage of course is the wait on popular stuff. You can put a hold on it, but you might be 60 of 60 holds. But with patience and a little self-control, you can save big bucks while still staying on top of the cool music and movies that have come out. And the truth is, you just can’t beat FREE!

Make library use even easier by keeping track of due dates online.

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[tags]Netflix, library, CD,DVD[/tags]

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9 Comments

1. ashley on 08.06.2007 at 10:32 (Reply)

   Unfortunately, not every library has DVDs. The library in our county got rid of all their DVDs because they were having trouble with theft. I was really bummed when I found that out.

2. Mrs. FLS on 08.06.2007 at 13:13 (Reply)

   That is a bummer Ashley. It doesn’t seem like a very worthwhile crime…..you’d have to apply for a library card, take the video, and then you could never use your card again because of the outstanding fine. All for perhaps one DVD. I should think people could find more beneficial means of thievery.

   Our library charges a 50 cents per day overdue fine. That can add up fast, so it really motivates people to not hold on to the videos. Although I guess it wouldn’t stop a determined thief.

3. AgentSully on 08.06.2007 at 13:23 (Reply)

   I love the library. It is so underused. I wish I had gotten into it earlier. Dugg ya!

4. Gloria on 08.06.2007 at 21:26 (Reply)

   I’ve started doing this since moving to a place where there are 4 libraries within walking distance (heaven!). There is the State Library, City Library and my two Uni library…one at the campus where I go to and one near where I live. I have never known a better life than this…hahaha! Well, except for slogging for uni…but who cares, the benefits outweighs the sufferings!

   Just two days ago i spotted an Al Pacino movie in our campus library but unfortunately I was over the borrowing limit of 15. Maybe after finals…

5. Mrs. FLS on 09.06.2007 at 09:08 (Reply)

   Thanks Agent Sully!

   Gloria-That does sound like heaven. Although it is too bad they have a borrowing limit. I currently have 37 items checked out of the library. This is my first year teaching community college and I have been checking out books like a mad woman to research and put together my lectures. I walk out of the library with enormous stacks of books every week. It’s the best.

6. Gloria on 09.06.2007 at 18:30 (Reply)

   Mrs. FLS…I think it’s good that they give students a limit, otherwise I’ll be checking out 100+ books at one go. I’m a library shopaholic. By the way, the 15 limit is only for uni library. I still have 2 other libraries to choose from if I ever need a fix, haha.

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8. adam on 19.12.2007 at 16:33 (Reply)

   I’m a law student with a library degree. Yeah for libraries. Get everything from them. Year for librarians. Tell them what you want and ask them to order it if they don’t have it. Ask for the person in charge of collection development.
   Rock on.

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