Avid readers have discovered the library has the books they need and can save them a bundle in the process.
“I have had a passion for reading since I first learned to read,” says Kaitlin Smith. “I have always been a reader and been known as such to friends and family. I love fantasy and sci-fi (science fiction) especially, but will dip my toe into other genres on occasion.”
She says she likes to try different types of books. The library’s selection allows her to try something she may not like without spending money.
For Courtney Boudreau, her passion for reading started early, too.
“I have always loved to read even as a little kid,” says Boudreau. “Growing up I used to read a children’s chapter book to fall asleep. I was a big fan of the Babysitter’s Club.”
While Smith is a long-time library user, Boudreau only started using the library.
“I believe one of my aunts set up a library card for me as a child,” says Smith. If I had to guess I’d say five years old.”
“I always knew the library existed, but I only started using it in May,” says Boudreau. “I was always hesitant to use the library for fear of not remembering to return a book and fear of damaging a book.”
A New Year’s resolution, money, and the advice of a friend guided Boudreau to the library and its many resources and services.
“I began reading more when I made a New Year’s resolution to read 100 books in a year,” she says, adding the money needed to meet that goal was out of reach.
“A dear friend who works at the library listened to my fears and addressed them,” Boudreau says. “I had shared my goal with her and expressed how I was finding it very difficult to find the finances to continue to buy new books.”
She learned there are no fines for late returns at the library.
Through her friend, Boudreau learned how to order books, track them, receive updates and notices, and renew her books.
Smith uses the library for two main reasons.
“The two biggest factors for using the library as my source of books have been saving money and supporting the library,” says Smith. “It is so critical, now more than ever, that local libraries exist and be well funded. They are a pillar of the community and offer many important resources.”
Borrowing from the library pays dividends
Both estimate they have saved hundreds to thousands of dollars by using the library.
“Over my lifetime I would say hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars easily,” says Smith. “In May alone, I read six books through the library via Libby. With some quick research that cost in eBooks would have been $80 and physical hardcover copies would be $185.”
“I was averaging around 10 books a month,” says Boudreau. “At roughly $23 a book, that saves me $230 a month!”
“I have also discovered that a lot of the books have an audiobook version as well,” she adds. “I plan to save even more money in the future by borrowing those and cancelling my monthly audiobook subscription.”
Boudreau has also passed on her love for the library to her four children.
“They do enjoy visiting (the library) often, and we always go to the events that the library puts on,” Boudreau says.