Going green may also inadvertently save you some green. I do quite a bit of traveling in my car for work and am really becoming bored with the same old CD’s. Most recently I was talking to someone about my job and they mentioned Audio Books. They also mentioned that most libraries have them to loan for free. Hello. . . why didn’t I think of that. I love to read, but don’t have as much time now as I did before Isabelle to take in a good book for hours at a time.
My mother was a Librarian at the Public Library in our town. And for many years of my adolescence, I spent filing books, helping people understand the then grand Card Catalog and finding the book they were searching for, and of course reading. . . a lot. Remembering then, that mostly the only time people had to “pay” for anything was when they returned their books “overdue” or they wanted photocopies of something. So it would seem that I have gotten lost in the craze of the “MUST HAVE NEW” thought process that many of us get into when we get into the real world and have our own money. I haven’t been to a Public Library in years. I buy books at the big bookstores, or my girlfriends loan them to me.
This weekend, I ventured out to the local Public Library in my town and was reminded of the greatness of it. There were people sitting and reading and mothers with their wide-eyed children just awaiting new adventures in all of those colorful books. Oh, and something I didn’t see in my time as “Library helper” – computers with free internet. Nice! But wait. . . all of these books, CD’s, magazines and movies. . . well, they’re FREE – provided you bring them back on time! And you are RECYCLING in the process, renewing your love of books and reusing the same books others have enjoyed.
I ended up loaning four Audio Books. I have a big road trip this week for work from Eastern Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh, so now I am equipped with “new” entertainment for the road and a fresh sense of excitement in “Reading.”
I also noticed a sign at the checkout desk for book donations. More recycling! So after my girlfriends and I have all read the books we pass around they can be donated to be RE-loved by someone else. Of course you could recycle children’s books by donating them as well. Even if you have a hard time parting with some of them, there are always a few that you may have gotten duplicates of or your cherub may have not really cared for so much. Save a tree, recycle it to your Public Library.
Most libraries also offer many services and programs geared towards children, including special “Story time” hours, or reading book clubs, especially over the summer months, to keep their little minds engaged in learning. So save yourself some green, and venture out to your local Public Library. . . you just might be surprised what you’ll find waiting for you!
~Kristin
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