Why The Library is Amazing | WHY AREN’T WE USING THE LIBRARY MORE (?!?!)

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I know a lot of us fall into the camp that wants to have all the books and fall a little bit towards hoarding and blowing ridiculous sums of money on books (my bank account is very sad, and has been for EVER).

I always say I want to have an entire room someday where the walls are just completely covered with shelves of books – my own personal library.  Until then, I will be sad and just stare at my one shelf of books.

I will be sad.  

WHAT WHY SHOULD I BE SAD I HAVE A LIBRARY THAT IS LIKE 10 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE THAT I CAN GET BOOKS FROM TO READ FOR. FREE.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love investing my spare money in book stores and authors.  They deserve it!  But why am I draining myself (erm, more my bank account) to get books I can’t afford (college is fracken expensive, people) and maybe sometimes don’t even end up reading because I have a very daunting TBR stack that is constantly staring me down glaring at me??

I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A HUGE LIBRARY AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE ARE THERE AND THEY HAVE A COFFEE VENDING MACHINE.

That’s right.  They have a coffee vending machine.  Don’t ask me why I was so amused the first time I discovered this.  I had never seen one before, I had only heard tales through the grapevine of these caffeine-giving, lovely money-suckers.

And right next to the coffee vending machines, there are rows upon rows of books.  Not to mention the quiet little comfy, cozy spaces they have to do homework.  Why am I sitting on the concrete floor of my basement to do homework you ask?  Well, here’s the answer.  I DON’T FRACKEN KNOW.

I think we need to support our libraries by utilizing them.  I mean for cucumbers sake, that’s what they’re there for!

Geez, did I mention free books. 

Also LIBRARIANS.  They’re wonderful humans!  And by humans I mean incredible sorcerers of all that is good in this world.  They are irreplaceable and invaluable and WHO DOESN’T LOVE LIBRARIANS?

Guess what?  They won’t be around, and neither will the libraries, if we don’t use them.  A lot of people have told me they don’t like to listen to audiobooks because of the price.  It’s true – audiobooks tend to be more expensive than old faithful (the paperback, of course).  However, most libraries have a fantastic audiobook section that you can borrow from.  Meaning you don’t have to pay for it.  Yeah, you have to give it back.  But did I mention that it’s free and it keeps the libraries thriving?

Basically, here’s what I’m saying.  Don’t put pressure on yourself to spend your whole paycheck to buy books because you feel like you have to so you can be part of the book-loving community.

*spoiler alert: we’re not all drowning in cash

I can love a book I don’t own.  Even more so, I LOVE the idea of supporting an institution that deserves it, like my local library.  Honestly, they’re quite underrated these days (in my experience)!  It makes me sad.  I have so many fond memories of going to the library as a kid, and I just stopped going one day.

Here’s a new goal for me: go to the library more often.  Actually borrow books from the library instead of shelling out every last penny I have, and stop buying books simply based on hype.

I’m trying to be fiscally responsible here while also supporting my community, people.

Talk to me!

Do you also feel that libraries are under-appreciated?  DO YOU LOVE MR. ROBOT?  Do you throw dollars upon dollars into the wind when you go to the book store??  Does anyone ACTUALLY have a manageable TBR because they have self-control??? (if so, PLS SHARE YOUR MAGICAL RESTRAINT WITH ME)  Let me know in the comments below!  🙂