Use Your Library and Save

 

O'Fallon Public Library 

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If you pay property taxes or rent, you are most likely helping to support your local public library. To get the most out of this investment, you should use the library. To obtain a book on any subject that interests you, check your library first. Your library can help you research home improvement, career advancement, hobbies, or any subject that interests you, without having to purchase expensive books. That’s free education! You can also meet your recreational reading needs, with the latest popular novels as well as timeless classics.

Libraries are not limited to books, either. DVD movies, CDs and other electronic media are provided for your use. If you want to study a new language while driving, get an audio-cassette or CD from the library and get started. Video materials are also available in an ever increasing variety and quantity in today’s libraries.

Online catalogues can be accessed from home, to tell you exactly what books (and other materials) are available. If your library system has more than one location, the catalogue will tell you which branches have copies. You can reserve items online using your library card, and even have them sent to the location that is most convenient for you. If an item is checked out to someone else, the library will reserve it and notify you by email when it becomes available.

You are already contributing to the library, so why not use their materials instead of purchasing your own copies of books or media you only need to read or watch once?

 

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“Natures of libraries”

Libraries can be categorized into several types depending on their nature. Basically they are divided into public, academic and special libraries.

The public libraries are the repositories funded by public i.e. government sources and is open to public access. It is not a restricted arena covering institution rather it is generalized as it caters people from wide areas. They are basically subjected to lend books (fiction and non-fiction) and materials to be taken out of the premises and also constitute reference materials which can not be allowed for circulation. The resources from books till CDs to videotapes are available as entertainment caterers. Most of the public libraries offer skilled librarians & internet access to search for the desired thing.

The academic libraries are the ones associated with schools, universities, research institutions. They contain the study materials that complement the teachings of the classroom studies so as to provide a deep outlook for the study topics.  The earlier use of paper materials for study have now been transforming to the internet based learning. The academic libraries are more or less specific pertaining to a particular department. The famous universities like Harvard University, Oxford University run their distinct libraries for referrals.

The special libraries are dedicated to a single & specific sector. They serve a particular institution and access is limited to the pupils who are a part of that sector/ institution/ organization. They are no for public usage. The skilled and trained librarians are appointed for doing the carry outs as they need to provide the desired stuff to the busy employees/ concerned visitors as soon as possible. They vary in size and nature depending on the public it caters. News, government, medicinal, army, museum, corporate libraries are some of the best examples of the special libraries. They are entirely devoted to the organization it belongs to.

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“Not boring but an interactive arena is the Library premises”

Libraries have been most of the times thought of as a tedious place just for the masses having an interest in reading. The majority of the youth consider it to be a “silence zone” with no fun except for the satisfaction of readers sitting out there. The libraries at times hold interactive sessions for making learning a fun experience. The theme based sessions based on an upcoming event or a festival is quite common in promoting the learning medium with fun. In the current era, the manuscripts and book collections are supported with pod casts, audio tapes, and various multimedia sources to make the learning interactive and lively. Libraries could be segmented in small areas for individual studies, group discussions, presentations, interactive sessions, etc. Regular sessions of interactions based on a social cause, historical depiction, presentations based on a motto and more could be organized to keep people stepping in the premises on times except those near the semester seasons.

The arrangement of books on shelves, the designing of library premises, the sitting facilities, the access points, all these play an important role in developing interests in readers to interestingly sit for long for their reading sessions. The interiors should not be bulky and over hanging. The areas for sitting and reading purposes should be well ventilated and spacious. The providence of drinking water and light beverages helps to a great extent in making the reading experience nice and relaxing. Along with making the library atmosphere interactive and fun, utmost care should be taken to maintain absolute silence for the pupils demanding it. The librarians are always famous for their strict and whimsical attitude. The libraries could be made more approachable by hiring a friendly staff which plays a prominent role during times demanding strictness, suggestions, and planning towards the people visiting the libraries for an intake of knowledge gulps!!

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Movie Club With Your Movie Library

Many people get inspired by the books in their library and decide to start a book club because of it. What about those that are inspired and excited about movies?

Do you have a collection of movies that you adore and maybe some that you hate? Maybe you are just dying to get together and critique the movies and talk. Like a book club, a movie club is another great way to get a bunch of people together with the common interest of getting together and talking movies.
You can even combine the two and have a book/movie themed club where you read books and watch the movies that were made from the books. Take a look at the books in your library and the movies in your movie library and let your creativity flow.

One big plus to having just the movie club, though, is that you don’t have to wait a month or more between club meetings. Instead, a movie can be seen more often and doesn’t require reading time.

A movie club doesn’t have to stick to one genre either. There can be a variety. You might choose independent films one week and romantic comedy the next. Let the attendees help in choosing and pitching the next movie. The more variety you have with the genre of movies the better. The more diverse the group of people, the more entertaining and fascinating the opinions will be. This makes it all the more fun.

A great idea for the actual meetings/parties is to have it themed based. If the upcoming movie takes place in Italy then have the guests bring Italian food. Make it buffet style then have all the guests get their plates, get comfortable and watch the movie together. Follow it up with some dessert as you all discuss what you liked and disliked about the movie.

Creative groups like this can be very refreshing and stimulating. You can start any kind of club you want. Look at the kind of libraries you have and have fun!

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Libraries Do More than Just Check Out Books

If you thought that libraries were just places to check books in and out, or maybe to browse in old genealogical records or magazines, then maybe it’s time to visit your public library again. Most of them offer much more than just books and magazines.

Some libraries serve as meeting places for various community groups. Libraries can be considered “neutral territory” for those who feel that meeting somewhere else such as a church or other public building may show bias, prejudice, or otherwise produce negative indicators. And, with many libraries now making room for small coffee shops or cafes, it’s possible to enjoy a meeting complete with refreshments.

Libraries are also good places to check out movie and TV show DVDs. Many libraries have as large a selection as most rental stores. You usually do not have to pay a rental fee like you do if you rent from a video store, but you will have to pay a fine if you are late returning your selection.

Libraries can also be a place for taking classes or learning a new hobby. Many people use meeting rooms or other areas to teach such things as scrapbooking, knitting, and other subjects.

And, of course, libraries have always been used by students as a quiet place to study. Everything they need is at their fingertips, especially since the majority of libraries have computers with web access, both wired and Wi-Fi.

If you are new to your area and do not know where your closest library is, resources such as Canada 411 can help you find that information. You may also be able to find the hours of operation and other things such as regularly scheduled or special events.

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