Photo by Liz West
Back when I was an executive with a generous salary but a scarcity of time, if I was interested in a book I followed a highly efficient routine. I simply visited the website of a particularly large online bookstore and clicked on a convenient little button that read “Buy now with 1-Click.”
Soon we had so many books we had to install custom bookshelves that covered an entire wall of the living room. When we moved a few years later, we hauled 26 cartons of books along with us. Now don’t get me wrong; I’m a writer, and I love books. But one day, I was trying to squeeze another new book on the shelves and realized we had run out of space. I sat down and gazed at all the books and realized many of them were outdated, unwanted — or simply books that I had enjoyed once but was unlikely to read again.
I began giving books away, and decided to be more selective about which volumes deserved a place in our pared-down collection. My new mantra was: I’ll only buy books I really love, I prefer hardbacks if they’re available, and I’ll try to buy books from an independent bookstore. I also decided to pay a visit to the neighborhood library.
Today, if I’m interested in a book I still follow an efficient routine. I visit my library’s website and reserve the book. My library e-mails me when the book is ready to be picked up. I also borrow movies, CDs and current magazines from my library. I haven’t tried downloading a library book on my e-reader yet, but many libraries also offer free downloads of thousands of books for a number of devices.
When my computer died a few years ago, I went to the library and used one of their free computers until mine was fixed. When my daughter was shopping for a used car, she borrowed Consumer Reports magazine and researched the most reliable makes and models. Our library offers a delightful kids’ library and a summer reading program that my son loves, free talks on a variety of subjects, meeting and study rooms, and regular art exhibits.
This year our library partnered with our local power company to loan out portable power meters. We were able to borrow a meter to plug into home appliances and learn how much energy we’re using. Check with your utility company or library to see if a similar lending program is in place.
If you haven’t been to your local library lately, take a field trip this month and let us know what you discover.
P.S. In case you’ve just joined us, the January Money Diet is a challenge to take a 31-day break from nonessential spending. You can learn more about the money diet here — and jump right in!
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Win a Deluxe Happy Simple Living Gift Basket
In honor of the January Money Diet, I’ll be giving away a gift box chock-full of home and garden goodies and a signed copy of my latest book 101 things To Do With Bacon. On January 31, 2012, I’ll draw one random name from everyone who commented during the month and that lucky person will win the gift basket. I hope you’ll stop by often this month and share your own ideas, thoughts and experiences about taking a 31-day break from nonessential spending.
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I hadn’t been to our local library in years until recently. After I lost all my books in the tornado, I was desperate for reading material. So my daughter and I headed off to the library. I was very impressed by the materials they had and the services they offered. I also like the fact that they have a pretty big selection of large print books for those of us who need them. I plan on using them often.
I had a hard time letting go of my book collection. I remember a friend helping us move once saying, “Wow, if it wasn’t for all these books, it would have been a breeze to move you guys.” It wasn’t until I taught English in an inner city high school and realized that a lot of my students didn’t have any books in their homes. I packed up most of my books and gave them to the kids. Some came back to me saying that they now loved Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde, etc. It was the best feeling in the world to share those books.
Diane Balch recently posted..Italian Egg Drop Soup with Little Meatballs
But I can’t eat pork bacon. Got a book on turkey-bacon?
Basically, we live at the library! I have been known to copy down the title of an interesting book at the store and then go home to my computer to see if I can put a hold on it at my library. I, too, once had too many books (I am a homeschooler) and now am a total devotee of the local library.