Happy Friday: 9 Ways One Reader Utilized Her Library This Month Alone

By Bryn | Operations Manager

Oct 28, 2016 @ 6:45 PM MDT

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Sent from reader, Mandy:

I am so fortunate to have a wonderful public library with amazing programs for adults and children. My library has different free programs every month. This month alone my family has utilized the following library services/events (in addition to the usual book and DVD check outs):

1. Artist for an Afternoon (adult program where I got to paint my own canvas).
2. Weekly story times (for my three year old)
3. Paws for Reading (my second grader and kindergartener got to practice reading to a dog)
4. Fairy Party (my second grader and kindergartener made fairy houses, pixie dust jars, and wrote fairy stories)
5. Fancy Feet (my three year old got to dance and do music movement)

6. Museum Adventure Pass (which allowed me free parking and entrance to a local park for a free fall festival)
7. Donuts for Daddy (my husband and three girls go monthly for free Dunkin Donuts and playtime)
8. Chemistry Class (my second grader and kindergartener got to watch and conduct their own science experiments)
and onlineing up this week…
9. Pumpkin Parade (my three year old gets to dress up for a library parade and story)

These are my October highlights which included tons of fun, family memories, and were onlinepletely free!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

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Join The Discussion

onlinements 39

SCS October 28, 2016 at 6:51 pm MST

Thanks for the great share! Libraries have so much to offer!

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Mel October 28, 2016 at 6:56 pm MST

Awesome! Sounds like you have a great library system. All that in addition to books and movies for free!

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Erica October 28, 2016 at 6:58 pm MST

Public libraries are awesome

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Michelle October 28, 2016 at 7:02 pm MST

We just went to our library today. Not only did we check out a ton of books to read, we also checked out FREE movies for the family to watch. I also signed my boys up for the reading program, which they can earn to get free rewards at Baker’s!!! Score all around!

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Sarah October 28, 2016 at 7:10 pm MST

Is this the Carol Stream Public Library?

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Megan October 28, 2016 at 8:41 pm MST

Sure does look like it is too me

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Kara October 28, 2016 at 7:11 pm MST

FYI if you are a teacher be sure to see if your district offers a teacher library card
Here that means no late fees

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tia October 28, 2016 at 7:42 pm MST

ah, man—wish we had that! can’t tell you how many books i’ve helped the library purchase with my late fees (often several books i’m using for an extra bit for my class). i’ve gotten better at remembering to renew, though. also, in december if you bring in some cans of food, they waive fees.

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Melanie October 28, 2016 at 7:16 pm MST

Not to mention free adult and kids dvd rentals! Great for a family movie night!

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Kat October 28, 2016 at 7:19 pm MST

Public libraries are onlinemunity houses…they offer so many great programs for birth-seniors. Everyone should check out what their library has to offer their family. They usually have great activities and the majority are free!

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Julie October 28, 2016 at 7:24 pm MST

Library books, magazines, digital library, story hour, book sales, literary presentations, kids’ programs, contests, audiobooks, movies, so much more … We LOVE LOVE LOVE our library : )

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Kathy October 28, 2016 at 7:26 pm MST

I love our public library too ❤️ Thanks for sharing!

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Annette October 28, 2016 at 7:27 pm MST

I am lucky enough to get free magazines for my iPad at the library through Zino and music downloads…all free….love the library!

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tiff October 28, 2016 at 7:28 pm MST

Love how you utilize the library so well, i mean we pays taxes so why not try to take the advantage to its fullest potential.

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Jen October 28, 2016 at 7:29 pm MST

Being a librarian for many years, this article and onlinements are what we strive to see and hear. Thanks to so many wonderful patrons. I can not advocate libraries and their purpose enough for any age or interest.

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Heather October 28, 2016 at 7:34 pm MST

Ditto I have worked in as public library for 24 years and love to hear feedback like this, thanks for supporting public libraries everyone.

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5pink1blue October 29, 2016 at 5:52 am MST

Yes, I worked as a Children’s Librarian for several years before having my own children. I agree Libraries have A LOT to offer.

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Christine October 28, 2016 at 7:29 pm MST

Thanks! I have loved the library since I was a little girl!

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Krystal Davey October 28, 2016 at 7:41 pm MST

I love utilizing my library meeting room, in our city as long as you request available times and set up and clean up yourself you can use the meeting room free of charge. Ours offers tables chairs, a sink and outlets. We have used this room for baby showers, bridal showers and birthday parties. I love it because my daughter’s birthday is in December so we always try to find fun low cost party option and since a house party is stressful and even harder during Christmas this is a great option. Last time we did it I had it after lunch, did a themed candy bar and craft centers. Our theme was “fish” as she was turning 5 and always though I was a saying her fish party instead of fifth party, So we had fish crafts on ocean candy bar and I was able to tape up streamers and “bubble” balloons. The library was wonderful but I would reonlinemend at least for a first time user to check it out first, we used one library room that was literally attached to the library main room and so I felt self conscious about it getting too loud but another library a little further from our house and more centrally located had a meeting room on their lower level. Not only was it so much less intrusive to them and us but I talked to the head librarian in advance and we got access to the outside door from the room and the bathrooms on that level opened for us with just a smile and a promise everything would be cleaned up!

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Mary October 28, 2016 at 7:45 pm MST

Same here! I’m in my 50s and always loved going to the library and my daughter has too. I love the programs they offer.

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carrylala October 28, 2016 at 7:55 pm MST

my 3 year old loves rhyming books, I find the titles I want with google, read an excerpt on amazon, order them on my library’s website (if available within the county), they hold them on a special shelf, labeled with my name, for 5 days once available. if we love the books, we order our own copy from betterworldbooks.online, we have saved so much money!

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Sarah October 28, 2016 at 7:57 pm MST

Librarian here: do yourself a favor and ask about your library’s digital services too. I’m lucky to work for a system that offers so many amazing digital services, free books, free movies, free music downloads, free audiobooks, free education classes, so so much.

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Alison October 29, 2016 at 7:25 am MST

Yes! I love my libraries digital services! I read audiobooks from hoopla and overdrive apps that are installed on my iPhone. Kids books, movies, audiobooks, etc… it’s awesome! I’ll never pay for an audiobook again!

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chely October 28, 2016 at 8:34 pm MST

At my library there have a program for fall reading. if your kid read 5 books or you read to them , you get a certificate for in and out burger… my boys are into reading a lot, so its a win win….
not to mention, free movies, story time, crafts, paws for reading, even homework help, and ESL…I love Camarillo CA Library

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E October 28, 2016 at 8:37 pm MST

We love our library! My mom has worked at one for 25 years and we love hers too! I take my kids to the story times and other programs. There are so many programs for adults too, but it’s hard to get out by myself. We have used zoo and museum passes, too.

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J October 28, 2016 at 8:39 pm MST

I agree. I am currently learning French and I checked out 50 Shades of Grey to read on my phone!! Win win if you ask me.

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Jennifer Walters October 28, 2016 at 9:18 pm MST

Thats amazing! You have a wonderful library! Thanks for sharing!

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Juju October 28, 2016 at 9:24 pm MST

A useful tip if you have a library system with good DVD/ movies (which mine does) – you really can cut out Netflix and other monthly charges and check out lots of movies and TV shows for free! Tips: if you are on a tight budget, consider only using the library (cancel Netflix etc) for 3-6 mos.; my library has tons of new release movies and TV series – just go online and put it on hold. Yes, you wait but it’s free! Plan ahead and check stuff out for the weekend. My library allows numerous renewals and tons of movie checkouts at a time.

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Melissa October 28, 2016 at 9:48 pm MST

I consider my public library to be one of the greatest benefits of my tax dollars. I usually have a running tab on fines from overdue books. I joke that I have built at least a wing of one of branches with all my late fees. But honestly, I am so thankful for my library and all that it offers that I am happy to pay my fines. I definitely get my money’s worth. I was in Canada recently, and a friend who lives there and who has traveled all over the world onlinemented that the United States has a superior library system far above anything he has seen anywhere else. It made me appreciate what we have even more!

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Tammy October 28, 2016 at 10:00 pm MST

We love the library too!

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arty October 28, 2016 at 11:05 pm MST

Last time I was at a public library in Los Angeles, the books had bed bugs in them. Very limited programs here, basically story time. 🙁

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Lindak October 29, 2016 at 4:44 am MST

Another librarian here – check out your onlinemunity college library too. Ours has the best sellers also often with very few patrons on the wait list. No programs for the kiddos, but a great resource for high schoolers and adults. Many libraries also have makerspaces where you can check out tools, use sewing machines and 3 D printers etc.

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Sabrina October 29, 2016 at 6:49 am MST

We love our library! They have so many great programs and classes. One really great thing they do, is a program called 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. We started when all our boys were babies/toddlers. We have sheets to mark off every time they read a book and after so many books they get a prize. When they graduate and read 1000 books by Kindergarten, they have a ceremony. My son got a book, stuffed animal and certificate. Then they had ice cream to celebrate. It was a really special time.

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see mary save October 29, 2016 at 8:35 am MST

I am loving all this LIBRARY love.

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Melissa October 29, 2016 at 9:13 am MST

As a public library employee for nearly 10+ years now this post makes me happy! I’m glad to see other people are utilizing their local public libraries for family friendly free entertainment/programming. 🙂

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ANJ October 29, 2016 at 10:48 am MST

Thanks for the reminder for readers!

I am fortunate to have an excellent library system. Many of the programs the original poster talked about are available and they are always well run and the staff is very kind.

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melissa October 29, 2016 at 12:23 pm MST

My local library even rents out bikes!

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Tracy October 29, 2016 at 4:29 pm MST

Another librarian here, this story makes my heart happy. 🙂
Another note: if your branch doesn’t have something ask if they can get it from another branch in the system or interlibrary loan from another library in the state. Some libraries might have a minimal charge for this but some library systems will do this at NO additional charge to you.

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Jacqueline October 29, 2016 at 10:40 pm MST

Our library does a food drive during the holidays where you can pay off a $1 fine for one food item. I’m up to $6.75. Oops!

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