If you're anything like me, you try to save a buck here and there by getting magazines and books from the library. However, a busy gal may eliminate the cost-saving measure by racking up late fees and lost book fines. How to get around this problem? Well, I've found several things that work for me. Here they are:
1) Use canvas bags for each family member during your library trip. Here's why it works well for us:
- Each family member can only check out what they can carry (a nod to my own Ma who implemented this rule with me as a kid). Not only will it save your back if your kids are avid readers or have eyes bigger than their arms, it will mean fewer books checked out at one time and thus fewer books to be late or lost.
- Each family member's books are stored in their bag at home. If they aren't on the bookshelf, they can't get mixed in with personally-owned titles and not returned when due!
- Canvas bags are easy to grab on your way out the door to run errands or on that next library trip. I know some folks like to organize their library books and movie rentals in baskets, but that adds the step of hauling them out the door. I used to keep all my library items in a pretty basket in the living room - I eliminated it as it was a hassle moving them to a bag to carry to the truck to haul to the library to turn in and then put the new books back in the basket ~whew!~ you get the idea.
- Canvas bags are sturdy and last longer. Several libraries I've used have a bag of plastic bags behind the counter that they offer to folks with a big pile and nothing to haul it out in - I prefer to use my canvas bags as they are green as can be compared to a plastic bag, plus they don't tear inconviently as I am midway across the parking lot. *chuckle*
2) Make good use of your library's website. My old library system allowed me to not only request books online (for pickup during my next trip), but to renew books from home. That came in really handy when something came up and we couldn't make our regular Tuesday library trip that week - I simply renewed anything coming up due that day and saved myself the fines. (Very handy with videos, since they were only good for one week and cost a dollar each, PER DAY, that they were late!)
3) Use a library that doesn't charge late fees. I know these are a rarity, but I've learned that certain taxpayer/private donation-supported library districts, as well as some military libraries, do not charge late fees. If you have access to one of these systems, use 'em. That way if you do end up with late items, you're not eating up the savings you gained by not buying the book or DVD!
For more WFMW ideas, go visit Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer.
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