If you’re an avid reader, you know how vital your local library can be in fueling your addiction. (We do!) Libraries are such wonderful resources—free books?! Free heat and/or A/C? Free printing? Free internet? Yes, they’re the best!
Do you have a library card? We know it may be hard as an RVer, especially if you’re a full-timer, to have a card, but perhaps when you’re “home” you find it worth having.
Plus, many states now offer state park passes at their libraries, meaning you can visit state parks for free! Visit your local library’s website or give them a call to see if this is something they offer. It could save you money! (Like this, for example.)
Tell us in the comments if you have a card and how often you use it. Plus, have you read any books lately that you think other RVers (or anyone) may enjoy? Tell us, please! Thank you!
A lot of libraries are under funded and have to cut back hours or close altogether and that’s really sad for a lot of grown up’s children especially in rural communities.
I have a card but not needed as I order my books on the library’s website.
However, it is your library card that gives you the access to those books.
Use my card mainly to download books to read on tablet. I still go to library. Also, donate magazines to their “free” box, and purchase books from their used shop.
My wife uses hers often, for both paper and e-books.
No because I almost exclusively use an e-reader and it is so easy to just buy a book, or read one of the free books. Many campgrounds have a leave-one, take-one mini-library if I spot something on paper.
I don’t as the hours are limited or 9 out of 10 it’s closed. It’s sad but it reminds me of the song “video killed the radio star” by Buggles. Technology killed the library star. It’s the same a historical societies. I love to visit those for true local history but doors closed/locked and shades pulled.
I have a library card and I use it to download books to my Kindle.
Libraries aren’t just for books anymore. Mine has a woodshop which I have used a couple of times for RV repairs, and a sewing room. You can take out videos and music CD’s. Most libraries have thought forward and adapted to the challenges the internet has brought. Many are now community centers too.
I use my library card for books on Kindle. That way I can check out or return books even when traveling.
I have a card. Don’t check out hard copies, but download e- books & audio books to my tablet.
No, but my wife does. She can pick up anything I want.
I have two, one for County libraries and one for the Cleveland Public library. While I only stop into our local library once in awhile, I used the card to check out books for my Kindle or audio books. NO need to pay for an audio book subscription when the library books are free. I highly recommend downloading the Libby App if your library supports it. It’s free and enables you to download/borrow books from your library if you have a library card.
https://libbyapp.com/interview/welcome#doYouHaveACard
Don’t need one where I live. Library is very small. But don’t walk through the door if you’re new in town. They’ll make you the new county librarian.
Great comment, David.
Not anymore. I think I’ve even forgotten where the library is!
Today’s young roosters..and hens…only know how to peck…peck…peck..on their favorite streaming device. Put them in an old library with a drawer full of index cards..they would be lost.
As a retired librarian, I am so old I even hand typed many of those catalog cards. I was delighted to get rid of the card catalog in favor of an electronic catalog. It is so much faster and so much more efficient in searching for materials. Old ways are not necessarily better ways.
My husband and I both have library cards. They allow us to download library books to our e readers wherever we might be.
Thank you, RV Travel! 🙂 DW does and I do not. I tend to buy books. She took a sabbatical from work several years ago and got a library card then. She’d go to the nearest branch and get several books to read. Sometimes she returned them and sometimes it was me. She maintains her card even though we no longer live within 500 miles. As you’d expect, all her borrowing is electronic copies of books. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Your poll should have had a “not any more” option. Many of us avid readers used to rely on the library for our reading pleasure but have now gone to e-readers exclusively.
but did you know you can get ebooks from your library?
I have library cards to four different local libraries. As a former teacher and library employee, and a current tutor, I appreciate all that our local libraries have to offer beyond books, magazines, movies, and music. I’ve always found library staff to be helpful and friendly. Technology classes, resume writing, yoga classes, homework help, and book clubs are just some of the many programs offered at libraries.
I use mine often but to order Kindle reader e-books. Love the online ordering system. Free and green.
I do Genealogy research. I also teach classes on “How to Research” Most libraries have a link to the “Library Edition of Ancestry” Also some libraries allow research through the Internet. With the above, I have 4 Library cards. Two of which are useful from anywhere I can get to the Internet.
Where I’m currently living, your library card is only issued for a year so it has to be renewed. Wasn’t using it enough to have to deal with the constant renewals. Hours of operation are short and change often due to budgeting problems.
I was lucky enough to be able to renew on line each year
I had one over 50 years ago but I doubt it’s still active.
I have a card everywhere I have lived my whole life, and used it. When traveling I shop the used book sale many of them have, then donate back after I read it to the next one, I also stop at the little libraries I see along the way, again give and take.
I have a Kindle on my phone and read it anywhere I have to wait. And eBooks are there for anywhere, anytime. But I like the good solid feel of a book in my hands.
I have had my present card for 13 years, at the bottom of each check out slip it puts the cost of what I’ve checked out. After 13 years it has come to $40,000 worth!
Yes, 2 online cards. L.A County and San Diego County libraries. Download books to our tablets wherever we are at the time.
Our library is great.. I can check out ebooks, audio books, music etc, we can check out air fryers, bus passes, park passes, hundreds of magazines etc. the library itself is open 12 hours a day seven days a week it serves as a cooling center in this hot weather – there are many computers with internet access, conference rooms for meetings it is a vital part of our community folks can get job search help, assistance with their income taxes, the list goes on and on. I can check out materials two our three times a week and not go in in fact if I check out a hard cover book they will mail it or they provide curb side pick up. If you haven’t gone to the library in 20 years you may be surprised
I use my three librabry cards to check out electronic books and audiobooks
Use mine all the time for ebooks and movies. As long as I use it I don’t have to renew it, not much hassle to renew.