Once upon a time, I was young and broke and relied on my library for entertainment… without these library hacks.
I am no longer young.
But at least I’ve learned a bit since then. 🙂
In all seriousness, though, libraries in general are such an overlooked treasure trove of resources, and it’s a dead shame.
I’m out to change that, so here are some of my favorite library hacks to make the most of your local resources.
7 Super Smart Library Hacks That Save You Time and Money
#1 See what unusual items your library has available.
Libraries are for far more than just books, and I don’t mean CDs and DVDs. Many libraries also offer items for checkout such as telescopes, nature backpack kits, storytelling kits, power tools, Chromebooks, tablets, video games, board games, puzzles… you name it.
Some even offer the ability to check out ebikes or electric scooters.
Our local library has a “seed library” where you can share your seeds or pick up ones from others for free during planting season – a benefit I haven’t been able to make use of yet in our apartment, but yearn to someday.
But this isn’t even limited to the stuff you can check out and take home. Many libraries also have “maker spaces” for things like sewing machines, longarm quilting (if you’re lucky), 3D printers, language learning (through Rosetta Stone, Mango Languages, and others), and other hobbies that can sometimes be cost-prohibitive.
Not even just hobbies, though: you can also find things like resume writing workshops and tax preparation help!
Seriously: Libraries are for more than just books. (no shade on books, of course… but how cool that they have friends!)
#2 Make use of online resources like Libby and Hoopla.
Using the library doesn’t mean you can’t use an e-reader. In fact, there are more online resources than ever before – you just have to know where to look!
Many libraries now offer access to digital resources via Libby and Hoopla, apps that allow you to digitally borrow eBooks and audiobooks super easily.
I regularly use Libby for audiobooks – they make great company when I’m quilting 🙂
Speaking of Libby, it has plenty of hacks of its own – as does the Hoopla app, so don’t sleep on these online resources.
BONUS LIBRARY HACK: Go to your phone’s autocorrect dictionary, put in a phrase like “lib” and have it autocorrect to your library card number to save time. Thank me later.
#3 Shop Your Library’s used book sales to save a ton of money.
While yes, it’s really fun to go to Barnes and Noble and enjoy an iced copy while you shop the new releases, it’s not really budget friendly.
Even thrift stores can be way more expensive than they deserve to be, if I’m being honest.
Enter: Library book sales.
It’s not uncommon to pay a dollar a book for your treasures (or less, sometimes, if they’re really running out of space!)
And, of course, they sell other media, like CDs and DVDs as well. My husband was stoked when he got the entire series (series, not a single season) of one of his favorite shows for $10 at a library book sale!
Related: A Broke Bookworm’s Book Outlet Review: Why It’s Worth The Hype
#4 Put the books you want most on hold online and pick up without the hassle.
When you’re interested in reading a particular book or watching a particular movie, it’s really helpful to know where it will be and when you can pick it up.
Enter: online holds.
Just go into your online account, search for what you want, and put it on hold for pickup when and where you’d like it.
It saves so much time and energy when you can just waltz into your local library, grab your books, check them out, and go – which means you’ll be way more likely to actually make use of the resources.
BONUS LIBRARY HACK: Make use of interlibrary loans for materials your local library doesn’t already have. Not sure how to do this? Continue reading:
#5 Build relationships with your local library staff.
Your local librarians are the experts in the resources available to you.
This can be through specialty requests like interlibrary loans, but also connection with other resources in your area like rent, utility, and food assistance, childcare, free enrichment programs for children, and low cost activities.
Some have “community passports” which allow for families to enter local museums and other attractions for free, which is so cool!
Your local library staff are super knowledgeable and helpful. Consider them your best resource for the library hacks you can personally use!
#6 Join (or create) special interest groups or book clubs.
Related to the above, local librarians will have a lot of insight about writing groups, book clubs, “stitch and bitch” groups, board game playing nights, and other related special interest groups.
This is especially helpful if you’ve recently moved and are trying to make friends. It’s kind of hard to do sometimes in this day and age, but making friends with common interests like this is a great low-pressure start.
As an introvert, it’s my ideal method.
If you have kids, libraries often host various story times and events specifically for the younger crowd. A few years ago, our library had a Nutcracker Ballet activity where the kids listened to music, played, and even “ice skated” with paper plates on the carpet. We absolutely loved it!
#7 If your library doesn’t carry something you want, ask them to start.
Interlibrary loans are great, but it’s also a great idea to let your local library know there’s a resource you’re interested in – because if you are, someone else is bound to be, also.
Being proactive about your library usage is a great way to help build your local resources into something beneficial not only to you, but also to your entire community.
Bonus library hack: This is a great way to support your favorite indie authors (perhaps, maybe, like yours truly?) Asking for your local library to stock the indie book you’re interested in reading gives that author a sale and, perhaps more importantly, expands their reach in a way they wouldn’t be able to do themselves.
And, in my humble opinion, everyone benefits from a larger library catalogue to choose from.
❤️
While these are my favorite library hacks, they’re far from exhaustive.
Do you have any library hacks you wish more people knew? Feel free to share them in the comments!
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