I SPENT 40 YEARS practicing criminal law, and there was always a lot to read: police reports, lab reports, probation and pre-sentence reports, motions, orders and court opinions. These were required reading and there was little time left to read for pleasure.
One of the great joys of retirement is the freedom to read a lot—and whatever I choose.
Which, in this season of reflecting on the things we’re thankful for, brings me to one of mine: public libraries. Since this is a personal finance site, let me add that—when it comes to great buys—it’s hard to beat libraries. For just a tiny slice of your tax dollars, the benefits are enormous.
I confess I may be prejudiced. After I graduated from the University of Texas, I wondered what career to pursue. My sociology degree didn’t exactly open a lot of doors, so I was casting about.
The university offered one of those aptitude tests that would indicate which careers most suited me. Given my introvert streak, I wasn’t too surprised when the results listed my No. 1 potential career as “librarian.”
I ultimately went to law school but never lost my love of libraries. A quiet spacious room where you can dive into a smorgasbord of books is my idea of a great place to hang out.
We’re lucky to have several libraries within an easy drive, but the one we frequent most is the Lake Travis Community Library. Not too small, not too big, it’s a real jewel. For a fee of exactly nothing, you get:
In our de-cluttering stage of life, libraries also mean no additional crowding on the bookshelf. While e-books accomplish the same, I’m one of those dinosaurs who likes books made of paper that you hold in your hand. I’m quite happy to go online for news and research, but when it comes to books, I’m old school.
Finally, a library encourages experimentation. I’ll often check out a couple of books by authors I know and love. Then I’ll add an extra volume by someone I’m curious about—one which I never would’ve risked purchasing.
So, I’m appreciative of and thankful for my local library. In fact, when I die, just send me to that great library in the sky. Oh yes, and please make it dog friendly.
Our library also offers access to various subscription magazines/newspapers/etc. for free.
The one I use the most is the online access to Consumer Reports. (From home using my library login.) I access it whenever I am looking to comparison shop for a major purchase.
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. It’s gratifying, though not surprising, that HD readers are enthusiastic library fans and patrons.
First, I love the phrase that you can read “whatever you choose”, at any age. That is how I got my young son interested in reading years ago. I promised him that when he learned how to read, he could read “whatever he wanted to” and no one could stop him. You could see the wheels turning, and he became an avid reader very quickly
Second, libraries are one of society’s best deals. Where else can you get almost every best seller, classic, how-to book, and rare gem, at no cost? I read 50+ books a year (it is my New Year’s resolution every year) and more than half of those books come from my public library. The library emails keep telling me how much I saved by borrowing the book, but I’ve never added up the benefit’s total value. I just know i appreciate it.
Love the library. They even offer live entertainment – ballet dancers are performing Nutcracker excerpts this weekend at my local library! They offer an important lifeline by offering computer/internet access to those without.
Our local library, Musser Public Library, has been part of my life since I was about 6 years old. Walking there with my brothers and later doing homework as a teen. Throughout my adulthood it fed my reading habit for free and provided computers and internet access before the era of I phones. Love libraries!
I serve on the Board of Trustees for our little rural library. Our annual operating budget is about $250,000 and 2/3rds of that is for wages.
One thing that’s very much appreciated is a year end donation which is tax deductible. Or make a direct gift from your IRA if you’re 70 1/2 +. We use the donations for extras like 24/7 internet access in our parking lot and programs like summer concerts, reading dogs where children read aloud to the dogs and visits from downstate university Professors of Medicine speaking on topics like hearing loss. We are the heart of our community.
My first real job outside of babysitting was after school at our town library. When I was growing up, my mom didn’t drive, so family errands happened on Saturday mornings when my dad was home—the dry cleaner’s, the library, and the supermarket. I loved stocking up on books for the week. When I got a bit older, my parents would let me read in the car while they did the grocery shopping. I also used to hang out at the school library at lunchtime if I didn’t feel like playing kickball.
This article made me realize I’ve gotten out of that habit, even though I work on a university campus and we also have a nice public library in our college town, to which I used to take my kids when they were little. I think when I retire, I’ll bring that back into my life.
That’s what I did; since I’ve retired I’ve really made use of the library. In fact, as I sit here immobilized 3 weeks after surgery, I’m on my 5th e-book just during my convalescence. Since I won’t be walking for another 5 weeks, my libraries internet portal grants me access to a vast array of e-books and magazines. Similarly, this remote access is also really handy when traveling. Thank goodness for the library!
Andrew, my family agrees. Especially my daughter. For a number of years, she had her own space on the shelf that receives books loaned for other libraries. Today, her first solo trip as a newly licensed driver is to our local library.
When I retired, gave up driving, and moved to the CCRC, I immediately got five(!) library cards: the local public and college libraries, a nearby one for Kanopy, another nearby one for Hoopla, and the statewide library with 250k titles. I’d been using OverDrive and Libby since I had cataracts and the only way I could read comfortably was online with black background and white text (thus no glare). Now even though I’ve had cataract surgeries and can read “real” books again, I’m still so grateful for the convenience and huge catalog online.
Libraries are the best. Whenever folks complain about taxes, they forget (or don’t use) wonderful services like libraries. We have a brand new, incredible looking one about to open in Round Rock, and I’m excited for my kids to get lost in it (figuratively of course… but also just for a little bit literally).
I can’t help but think about the 1959 Twilight Zone episode, “Time Enough At Last.”
A book lover finds himself blissfully alone with his books after a nuclear war. Finally, he can spend the remaining years of his life doing what he loves the most. Of course, after the nuclear attack the book lover is surrounded by building rubble and large pieces of concrete. The book lover trips on the rubble causing his eyeglasses with glass lenses to fall to the ground. In his search for his eyeglasses, he steps on them totally cracking both glass lenses.
For me, growing up, a library was also a refuge and an escape.
Since covid began just about 3 years ago I have borrowed over 250 audio books from my local library.