Money Tight? Save Big with Your Library Card

These days, everyone is looking to save money. From Craig’s List to extreme couponing, it seems we just can’t come up with enough ways to cut costs. The would like to offer one more tip to your list of penny-pinching tricks: get a library card!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a library card saves the average consumer $110 per year and it’s not hard to figure out why. The library offers your favorite books, magazines, movies and music, as well as entertainment for all ages, for free.

Considering a night at the movies, but don’t want to pay $10 a ticket? Join Jack Favorite on the first Monday of each month for his classic “Favorite Films” series.

Want to join a book club but dread the thought of spending $25 for the latest bestsellers? Use the Book Group in a Bag program and choose from 30 popular titles. Each bag contains 10 copies of the book, discussion questions, author information and suggestions for similar books. 

Looking for inexpensive ways to entertain the kids and beat the heat? Pop in to play with our train table, play educational games on our Early Literacy computer, do puzzles or read stories.  The library also offers story times, crafts, movies and other events for children and teens, all for free.

Granted, using the library isn’t exactly like shopping in a bookstore where everything is free. It takes a little extra planning, so here are some tips for getting the most out of your Moorestown Library card:

• Stay tuned in to what’s happening at the library

Don’t miss out on your chance to attend a great children’s program or wind up at the bottom of a long waiting list for your favorite author’s new release. Check the library’s website frequently to find out what’s coming up and when you need to register, and call the library or check the catalog to place your hold before a hotly anticipated book is released.

• Be flexible.

We might not have the movie you want on the night that you want it, but we do have thousands of movies to choose from. If your top pick isn’t in, consider putting it on hold and watching something else in the meantime.

• Plan ahead.

If everyone in your class has a report due on the same book on the same day, don’t expect that it will be sitting on the shelf waiting for you the night before it’s due. Give yourself plenty of time to place a hold, get the book and write the report.

• Take advantage of interlibrary loan.

The library has thousands of books and movies, but we don’t have everything. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, let us know and we will try to borrow it from another library.

• Return your books on time.

Overdue fines aren’t very expensive, but they can add up quickly. To avoid paying fines, keep track of what you have borrowed and when it is due back.