The Importance of Libraries

When you walk into a library do you think this is the best place to learn (other than a school, of course) or do you think, why do we need this when I can just buy books. That’s all libraries are right, a place to “rent” books? You’re missing the importance of libraries. Let me show you what libraries can offer you and why they are so important.

The love of reading starts at a young age. Helping children develop their reading and critical thinking skills is one of the most important things in a child’s life. It’s why libraries and schools work so well together. Theirs goals are the same. Create that love of reading on into adult hood. Let me show you what libraries can offer you to help you grow.

Materials

Library Books

Well, this is kind of a given. Libraries are known for having books. All kinds of books. Mysteries, horror, humor, science fiction, romance, adventure, text, and even large print books. People can come to the library to study and research or they can come and enjoy a quiet afternoon reading something they enjoy. Letting the world drop away for a few moments and taking them on a grand adventure with amazing characters.

Library books help people learn, comprehend, imagine, design, the possibilities are endless. You have trouble learning math; books have fun ways to learn. Need to fix your kitchen sink, we have how to repair books. Want to learn a new hobby, look no further. The library has so many books to choose from and most of the time if we don’t have it at our library, we can get it for you from another and have it sent to your home library for you to pick up in just a few days!

Magazines

Magazines aren’t new to the libraries. They have been around for some time. Most people don’t realize that libraries carry magazines. Do you love the tabloids, seeing what celebrities are up too, or staying up current events in the world without having to pay for a monthly subscription? See what magazines the library has to offer you, you might just be able to cancel that subscription and still be able to read your favorite content. The other thing that is great about magazines is that after a certain amount of time, libraries might be able to give you those magazines for things like vision boards or art projects.

DVD’s and CD’s

DVD’s are almost as popular in libraries as the books are, but not just DVD’s, but Blu-ray’s and Video Games. Yes, I said video games. Don’t want to spend the money on a new DVD, video game or music CD? Look in your local library and rent it for free before you decide to buy. No point in wasting your money on something you might not like and if your local library doesn’t have it, they can most likely get it from another library sent to you.

Audiobooks and Playaways

Audiobooks have been a hot commodity for those who want to read a book, but don’t have the time to sit down and flip through the pages. You can get a Walkman, (sorry, I had to put that in here), a CD player and play the audiobook so someone can read the book to you. Whether walking, doing chores around the house or driving on a road trip. Patrons love the hands free version of books. Now they came out with Playaways, which kind of look like an iPods. These are preloaded books on a small devise. All you need is a pair of head phones, plug them in press play and you are good to go. These are perfect for those daily runs!

Ebooks

Ebooks are another way of reading. Instead of a big bulky books that you have to carry around with you, you can carry your phone, Kindle, tablet or iPad and read your book straight on your device. Imagine sitting at the doctor’s office, waiting for your car to get fixed, or the dreaded DMV. The great thing is that you don’t have to carry another device, just pull out your phone, open your book app and start reading. It’s so simple and less weight. Although I love having a physical book and turning the pages, so I still carry a book with me, I just make sure it’s a paperback. Lol

Library of Things

This is relatively new to libraries. The library of things is just that, things. You can check out anything from cake pans to fishing poles, depending on what library you go too. Want to learn a new hobby, but don’t want to spend all the money on it. Want to learn to sew, but don’t have a sewing machine? How about learning to play the keyboard, but don’t have a keyboard? or leaning to make a movie, but don’t have a laptop or video camera? Check your local library! They might just have what you are looking for. You can check them out just like a book and return them when you are done. It’s a great concept and patrons seem to enjoy this new service.

Services

There are many services that libraries offer their patrons from copies, printing, faxing and scanning to outreach, programming and databases. We will take a look at each of these and more.

Copying

Making copies of documents is probably the most common services libraries offer. You can ask a librarian to make copies of almost anything you want. Legal documents, images such as your driver’s license, or pages from books, like recipes. Although copying does cost money, it’s definitely not as much as most people think. Take my library for example, color copies are a quarter and black and white copies are ten cents. Cheap huh?

Printing

Now you can print something from a computer to the printer and pay the same as you would a copy. Depending on the library they might let anyone use their computers. My library, for instance, only lets patrons from our town use the public access computers. Not because we are want them just for our patrons, well that is kind of it, but only because we are an extremely small town and we only have three access computers for all our patrons to use. Other libraries will offer a time limit for usage if you aren’t their patron or they may charge you a small fee to use they computers. It just depends on the library you go too. Some may also offer wireless printing so you could print from your own device straight to their printer and pay them for your prints instead of taking up one of their computers.

Faxes

Faxes are less common, but still offered to patrons for a small fee. If you are needing to fax one page or many pages’ libraries can fax your documents and get a conformation that it was either successful or unsuccessful usually within a few seconds. The more pages, the longer the conformation takes.

Scanning

Now this one is a little difficult depending on the library and the way your scanner is set up. Patrons can scan a document to either an email or a flash drive, but depending on how the scanner is set up you may only be able to scan to a flash drive. Just to be sure I would call and ask if they can scan to email ahead of time so you don’t get all the way there and figure out you need one in order to get done what you need too. If you really need to scan to email, but that is not offered. You can scan to a flash drive, and then input the flash drive in to a computer and email your document from your flash drive. I think this the one thing we get the most at my library.

Outreach

Libraries have been doing outreach for a long time, but most people aren’t’ familiar with it. Outreach is where a library will being materials and services to certain areas of your town, such as day cares, senior homes, and community centers to make it easier on patrons that can’t make it to the physical library. The librarians bring the library to you. With services such as checking in and out materials, library card sign up, and some even offer programming and media centers for patrons to use computers for research. This is a great service for libraries that have multiple towns within there service area and for the patrons that can’t make it out to a library branch.

Programming

Libraries are a great place for creativity and learning. Children, teens and adults all have an opportunity to participate in an array of programs that library offers. From Story hour for the little ones to amine club for teens and paint and pour nights for adults. Some library also have maker space areas, music recording studios, and technology centers. Library programming helps patrons with creative outlets and sometimes learning without knowing they are. They also hire out performers, illustrators and authors to come and discuss or do a presentation for their patrons. Next time you are at your library ask about what programs they offer.

Databases

Libraries have all kinds of databases on searching for research topics, fixing cars, books of all kinds and even crafts and hobbies. If you’re doing a research paper on a specific topic, check out what databases your local library has to offer to help you in your search. If you aren’t sure, you can always ask your local librarian for help!

Other Services

These are just a couple of offering that libraries have other than the ones mentioned above that make our patrons lives a little easier.

Notary

Some libraries have a notary on staff that can notarize documentations for you. Sometimes it’s easier than going to your county office or your village hall.

License Plate Renewal

Libraries have started doing license plate renewals! No more standing in long lines at the DMV waiting to renew your license. You can get your renewal done at your local library with ease.

Final Note

Not all libraries are the same, they don’t offer the same things or the same services, please check your local libraries website or call to make sure they offer the services you are looking for and always thank them for their help. You don’t know how much librarians actually do and a thank you goes a long way.

To quote myself as a librarian, “Have a wonderful day and Happy reading!”