Your Local Library: A Secret Weapon for Your Wallet and the Planet

Across the whole of the UK there are approximately 4,000 libraries, with 78% of the population living within a 30-minute walk of a public library, myself included. Despite many having struggled with poor funding, the vast majority have continued operating.

While your library might look and operate different, they all tend to offer a similar selection of products and services for free. Yet, these might not be been the forefront of our minds, as we often associate a library to be quiet places for reading, but they can help bring the community together and help save you money on subscriptions.

Saving Money: The Ultimate Borrowing System

I am someone who doesn't own numerous books, not helped by having dyslexia. For me, I typically forget what I am reading or have read and can miss lines. Therefore, one may assume a library is not the place for me. However, libraries offer more than physical goods like books.

1. Direct Cost Savings

The most obvious benefit is the elimination of purchase costs. Whether it’s a bestseller, a textbook, or a film, the library provides access without the price tag. Our local library even offers a discount for a local venue.

• Books: The average hardcover book costs £20.25. A library card makes this free.
• Tools and Equipment: Some (not ours) libraries offer "Library of Things" which provide tools such as drills which you can borrow.
• Digital Resources: Access to subscriptions, magazines, ebooks, audiobooks, and genealogy databases are often included for free.

2. Community Support

Libraries also host events such as baby and toddler groups, dementia support, drawing, Mah Jong and scrabble. These can be important for new families and meeting people in the local network. Furthermore, a library can offer warm drinks and a heated place, which is essential during winter. While these tend to be free, libraries may offer paid courses to learn about history and other areas.

3. Extended Product Life

By circulating items, libraries reduce the need for individuals to buy new products that might only be used once or twice. This "access over ownership" model is a key tenet of the circular economy.

Helping the Planet: Reducing the Carbon Footprint

While it might not be the first thought, a library does help reduce the environmental impact of books, through the conventional borrowing which negates new books being manufactured, shipped, and packaged.

1. Waste Reduction

The production of a single book generates significant carbon emissions.

• Manufacturing: Creating a new book involves logging trees, processing chemicals, and manufacturing paper.
• Shipping: Transporting books from factories to stores (and then to homes) creates a massive carbon footprint.
• Library Efficiency: One library book can be read by dozens of people before it is retired, saving the equivalent of dozens of new books from being produced.

How You Can Help

To maximise the impact of your local library:

1. Borrow More: Resist the urge to buy new books, tools, or media when a library copy is available.
2. App: See if your library has an app to read e-books or listen to audiobooks
3. Attend Events: Utilise free workshops and community gatherings meet new people and gain skills for free or a reduced rate.
4. Ask: If you found a book others may enjoy, ask the library if they can get a copy of it.

Conclusion

Your local library will offer wonderful books, magazines and more depending on the location all for free. Personally, every book I have read has been free through the library or cheaper through a charity shop/second handbook place. This helps me save money. I enjoy using my libraries app to discover and listen to books when I am travelling to work. By joining your library, you are helping show there is a greater demand for them to continue operating, and saving yourself money.