1. Free dvds. I get online and reserve new releases. Usually I get to see them within a month or two of coming out.
2. Books, magazines, music
3. Story time, play area, puppets, puzzles, toys
4. Summer reading programs--read and get prizes/coupons
5. Internet access for free

We love our library. Went there today!

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~Happiness is a large family~

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Yup! The library is a great place for fun and not have to spend any money. The kids have made out great while in the summer reading program-toys, coupons for free ice cream cones, cookies, and icees; and we still have it for about five more weeks. Gonna go get some more movies on friday for us for the weekend.

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Yep us too! I love my library.

Don't forget the yearly book sale! Our libraries always has a few books for sale on a sale table but once a year they have "The Book Sale", what a goldmine. TONS of people, it's great to see so many folks sorting though a meeting hall of nothing but tables and books. Last year we brought home a bunch of VHS movies as well about 20+ books.
We could have spent hours searching a picking up new treasures, but only has about 30 minutes.

Our local libraries also have what they call "Cultural Passes." The friends of the library purchase a family membership to some local pay to see them sights like the museums.. you can check out the pass for the day and get your family in for free! It is great!!!

W e go once a week. We love new books and the kiddos think it is great. We joined the summer reading program (they are pre-readers so I do all the reading) but they have already gotten prizes (free child's admission with adult purchase to certain area attractions).

Also, if your library doesn't have a book you want they can ask other libraries for interlibrary loan.

We go to the library once a week as well. I utilize the reserve online for DVD's at the library also! It really has been a great "find". I have always been a big advocate of using the library, but I go in streaks. Now that I am really watching the budget, I have not been to a movie rental place for months....and I have NOT bought a book from a store in a long time! I use to spend a ton of money doing both and now it's FREE. Is there anything any better than free? :happy dance:

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Jenifer M

Our libraries have Musuem passes. A family of four can get in to almost any museum in Chicago for free. This is for basic admission only but the museums here are pretty big and have such great regular exhibits that you don't need all the extras. I pack a lunch and off we go.

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I use the interloan option a lot! I never thought about the DVD's and reserving!

I love to check out new music, too. I listen to music all day long and when I have any "mad money" I usually buy cds (and my dad usually gets me Borders or B&N gift cards for my birthday), but I have so many that are collecting dust because after a few weeks I stopped listening to them. Now I check them out of the library, and if after three weeks I still really like it, I know it is worth spending the money on it.

Books, too. I don't mind buying kids books because they will re-read them again and again, but I refuse to buy books for myself. If I can't get it from the library, I probably don't really need to read it! My book club has a rule now that if the library has less than 6 copies of a book, we choose something different - it's so nice to be able to check that out online, too.