by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I have always been a huge fan of libraries. Growing up, one of my favorite memories is of going to the library with my father (sometimes riding our bikes there) and hanging out for hours.
I still spend a lot of time there because sometimes when I get bogged down when writing at the house. Maybe I’m not totally in the zone and anything will distract me: the dishwasher stopping, the dryer buzzer, a table that needs dusting. Leaving the house and going to the library is usually the perfect remedy for the problem. I don’t need total silence to work, providing the background noise has nothing to do with me.
But I use the library for more than just a place to write when I need to escape the distractions at home. I use it to fill my creative well, exercise my brain (which seems to help my writing), and inspiration.
Below are the ways that I use my library. I’m in the Charlotte, NC library system and it is a big system and fairly well-funded. Your mileage may vary with yours, but if you find a service here that sounds interesting, check to see if your library has it. If not, see if they’ll consider offering it.
Books and Magazines
Obviously, books are what first comes to mind when most people think of the library. I always have something on loan from the library that I’m reading. I do still get physical books, but I also use my library’s Overdrive service to borrow ebooks. Whenever I hear about an interesting book, I first check with my library. If they don’t have it in their catalog, I use their online request form to request a purchase (I’ve never had them turn down a purchase for anything that I’ve suggested).
I’ve used this less, but my library also offers free magazines online (I do like to scroll through looking for recipes sometimes). They’re offered through RB Digital and Zinio.
Education
Want to learn how to use Office products better? How to develop your own website? There are tons of opportunities to learn different skills through Lynda, with over 3,000 free online courses.
I also recently tried to challenge my brain to relearn the French I was taught in school (a looonng time ago). This is free through Mango.
Entertainment
We stream at our house (no more cable) and get our programming through Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube TV, etc. The library is helping supply me with some really cool films and TV through Kanopy and Hoopla. I’m a fan of classic movies and independent films, but there are also a lot of box office hits on Kanopy and Hoopla, too. And Hoopla helps me keep up with my favorite British television shows.
Whenever I’m feeling like my creative well needs a little filling, watching a well-made film or reading a great book is the way to do it.
Are you a library power-user, too? What kinds of services do you use there? Do you go there to write?
How to Be a Library Power User Share on XPhoto on VisualHunt
Hi Elizabeth – this is so interesting … I must see what our library offers – I know I’ve been and asked for books they don’t have … which they have got in for me – at a small cost. I must check out what their boundary spread is … and how they work.
I used the school library a lot (I was away at school) – and we had books at home … but the local library was 5 miles away, so we never went there (to my knowledge!). When I was in London I bought books … but was sporty and was out a lot of the time …
It sounds like the Charlotte, NC library system is excellent – I’ll be checking ours out before the end of the month … thanks for the thoughts here – cheers Hilary
That’s another great way to use the library…to get books that aren’t available locally.
Five miles would be quite a walk or bike ride! Good thing that you had a school library close by. :)
Our library isn’t in the safest area in town, so we don’t go often I’m afraid.
No more cable? I’m thinking about dumping our dish and streaming only.
Oh, we had Dish too (I think I lump everything under ‘cable’…rather inaccurately, ha!) We haven’t had a problem getting anything we’ve wanted to see, although we do subscribe to quite a few streaming services.
What a great post, Elizabeth! I love libraries – always have – and we have a solid library system, too. You’re right that libraries offer so much, especially to the writer. They are also good places to try to reach out to readers. Some libraries (not mine, I’m afraid, but some) even let writers do events there.
I’ve done a few library events and they’re frequently great with good turnout. Another great way to use the library, as a writer. :)
Oh, goodness, yes to all of this! My system also uses NoveList to recommend books based on what you’ve looked at, which is how I found Naomi Novik and the Three Body Problem series, albeit through a circuitous route.
My favorite librarian started offering writing courses a few years ago which, even though I’ve already published, have been a lot of fun to attend and a great way to connect with other people. And then the book groups, the museum passes…it’s all good :-)
I will look into NoveList…thanks for the tip!
You’re so right about the programs, too…so many good offerings from book clubs to writing groups. :)
That’s wonderful you do request books from your library. That’s why I tell my authors to get family, friends, and fans to request their books.
That’s a great way to get our books stocked locally. :)