7 surprising ways the library can help you save money – Life Kit – NPR
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7 surprising ways the public library can save you money
Updated October 14, 202510:56 AM ET
By Marielle Segarra, Audrey Nguyen
This story was originally published on Oct. 16, 2023, and has been updated.
Everyone knows you can save money on books by checking them out at the library instead of buying them. But did you know that libraries can help you save on other things too?
Life Kit
How the local library can save you money
In some locations, you can borrow tools (saving a purchase at the hardware store), take free language classes and even get free tickets to local museums and attractions.
The resources that your library has to offer will depend on its size and funding, which comes in part from taxpayer dollars and donor funds. These perks are part of the public library’s mission to serve the needs of the local community, says Joan Johnson, library director at Milwaukee Public Library. “Libraries are one of the most important parts of the social infrastructure. The possibilities for how you explore are endless.”
To take advantage of these money-saving benefits, sign up for a library card, says Mychal Threets, a librarian, literacy advocate and the new host of PBS’ Reading Rainbow. Then check out the library website or simply walk into your local library and talk to a librarian.
Here are 7 surprising ways the library can help you save money.
1. Before you buy something, see if you can borrow it from the library
Libraries offer all kinds of items on loan. “Video games, musical instruments, board games. Some libraries have bakeware collections where you can get baking pans,” says Threets.
Akhila Bhat, branch manager at Harris County Public Library in Katy, Texas, says her library system has a seed library. “Patrons can pick up seeds to start a garden and drop off seeds for others to take home and plant.”
Meanwhile, libraries like the Providence Public Library in Rhode Island have tools you can check out. That includes a cordless drill, safety goggles and a laser level.
2. Reserve free tickets to local museums and attractions
In some places, you can get free or discounted tickets to local attractions in your city or town. The Nashville Public Library, for example, offers free tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame (saving patrons $31.95 in admission fees). And library card holders in California can gain free entry to over 200 state parks, saving patrons $20 in entry fees.
3. Print out your documents at a discount
You can use the computers to print out documents like plane tickets, concert tickets or shipping labels. There’s usually a small fee, but it’s often cheaper than printing at an office supply store or a shipping center, says Threets. For example, it costs 10 cents to print a page in black and white at the Brooklyn Public Library in New York, and 26 cents at Fedex.
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