The Library

It saddens me to hear people when they say things like “I haven’t been to the library in years.” “I haven’t been to the library since I was in school.” 

Seriously?!?!?!  I LOVE the library!  I am an avid reader.  My Mom is an avid reader.  One of my favourite things to do growing up was when my Mom took my sister and I on weekly trips to the library.  Millions and millions of books, spanning numerous genres, free for the lending!  (Technically not free as our taxes go towards libraries, but all the more reason to the library folks!  We have paid for them in a manner of sorts!) 

I grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, (most of my favourite things to do still take place in NOTL), the library was small but had good turn over on new books.  We did however seem to read faster then the turnover sometimes so my Mom ended up getting us library memberships at the Niagara Falls Public Library (free to NOTL residents as well as Niagara Falls residents at the time.) and she purchased us a yearly membership to the St.Catharines Public Library.  (Check with the libraries surrounding your city or township to see if you are charged for a membership to their library.)  Now one might say, wait a minute, this is supposed to be free or easy on your wallet ideas, a membership at YOUR LOCAL library is FREE.  If you decide to purchase a membership from another municipalities library keep in mind that the cost of the membership (at the time St. Catharines was $25 a year for non-residents, please check as this has most likely changed over the years) for $25 you now have access to not only millions of books, but also DVDs as well. 

Which brings me to the next item on my Pro library list, why rent a movie for $6 dollars when you can borrow a DVD from the library for FREE?!?!?  They even have recent movies, but also some great classics, plus you can borrow them for a week, grant it the selection is a bit limited but still it’s FREE!  Seriously, how is that not the greatest thing ever???!!!?  

Some libraries have great programs: book clubs for adults, children’s reading hours and sometimes craft time for children.  Check out your library to see what they have.  Some even host movie nights and special events.  The Niagara Falls Public Library hosted a party for the Royal Wedding that is really cool!

Most libraries have computers that they allow you to use for research and for internet.  I used the St.Catharines’ Public Library for some research for my other favourite past time, researching my family’s ancestry. 

Please do yourself a favour and go to the Library!