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The Library
One of the greatest sources of freebies for students and non-students alike.
Traditionally, the library is known as a place that lets you check out books. However, the library has evolved into something much more. At the library you can get free books, free magazines, free movie rentals, free music, free internet access and even free use of tools depending on where you live.
The library is a wonderland of free entertainment. Most often, school libraries are only open to students. However many cities and towns have public libraries that are free to anyone. Whether it be a campus library or public library, usually anyone can go inside and use the items if they stay in the library, which can offer a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. If you want to check items out then they simply require a proof of residence or student ID.
Find a Library Near You:
- LibDex.com - "Discover our directory of libraries across the world as well as an extensive collection of books. Read, write & review your favorite readings on Libdex!"
- LibWeb - An index of libraries from all around the world. Provided by WebJuntion.
- NCES.ed.gov/globallocator - A search service provided by the National Center for Education Statistics. Search for Schools, Colleges and Libraries.
- Worldcat.org - The world's largest library catalog. Find items in libraries near you.
Free Book Rentals
(Free Book Lending, Free Book Use)
Savings table for textbooks (Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank Netter):
| | CampusBookRentals.com | BookRenter.com | Chegg.com | Library |
|---|
Textbook: Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank Netter
| $17.03/semester
(for an older edition)
| $30.54/semester
| $33.29/semester
| FREE! with local pick-up
|
|---|
Buy the book at Amazon.com: $97
Buy the book at Barnes and Noble: $68.43
Buy the book at Borders: $18.99 (for an older edition)
Campus library selection is usually comparable to any bookstore.
Savings table for renting novels (Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone on paperback)
| | BooksFree.com | BookSwim.com | Library |
|---|
Unlimited book rentals
| $10.99/month
| $9.95/month | FREE! with local pick-up
|
|---|
Buy the book at Amazon.com: $6.40
Buy the book at Barnes and Noble: $16.83
Buy the book at Borders: $7.91
Public library selection is usually comparable to any bookstore. New
releases are usually only available on reserve for use in library only.
Free Magazines and Newspaper
Savings table for magazines and newspaper (Sports Illustrated and USA Today):
| | Sports Illustrated
| USA Today
| Library |
|---|
Magazine and Newspaper
| $39 per year
| $195 per year
| FREE at the library
|
|---|
Library selection is usually comparable to any news stand but not always recent. These items are usually on reserve, for use only in the library.
Free Movie Rentals
(Free Movie Lending, Free Movie Use)
Savings table for renting a single movie:
| | Blockbuster | Netflix | Redbox | Library |
|---|
Single movie rental
| $5 for 5 days
(Less for non-new releases)
| $8.99/month unlimited movies
| $1 per night
| FREE! with local pick-up
|
|---|
Due dates and late fees vary. Library selection more limited and usually do not have new releases.
Savings table for renting multiple movies:
| | Blockbuster | Netflix | Redbox | Library |
|---|
Multiple Movie Rentals
| $16.99/month
2 DVDs at a time + 5 in-store exchanges
| $8.99/month unlimited movies,
1 DVD at a time
| $1 per night per movie, local pick-up only
| FREE! with local pick-up |
|---|
Due dates and late fees vary. Library selection usually more limited and usually do not have new releases.
Buy a movie from Walmart, Target, Amazon or eBay: $5-$25
Free Music Rental
(Free Music Lending, Free Music Use, Free CD Lending and Use)
Since music is not expensive to download the free library services are compared with purchasing music.
Savings table for renting/buying music (Andrea Bocelli's Romanza with "Time to say goodbye"):
| | Album at Tower Records
| Album at Amazon.com
| Song at Amazon.com
| Song at iTunes
| Library |
|---|
Album: Romanza or Single: "Time to say goodbye"
| $15.87
| $13.99 | $0.99
| $0.99
| FREE! rental with local pick-up
|
|---|
Library selection usually more limited than any record store or online store for music.
Free Internet
Savings table for internet access:
| | AT&T | Comcast | NetZero | Library |
|---|
High speed internet from AT&T, Comcast or the Library. Dial-up internet from NetZero.
| $24.95 per month for 12 months
| $19.99 per month for 6 months, about $45 after.
| FREE dial-up.
| FREE! high speed internet at the library. Many libraries also have free Wi-fi.
|
|---|
Free Entertainment
Assume that for entertainment a person rents a movie once a week, buys a movie once a month, buys a novel on paperback once a month, buys a music album once a month, a yearly magazine subscription and pays for high speed internet access. Assume that the person is able to find the lowest prices mentioned in
the tables above. Assume that person has the equipment necessary to play movies and music and access the internet. Also assume that the person isn't caught up with the hype of new releases. If that person decided to go to the library instead, he or she would save $691.08 a year.
This number is much higher for people who decide to buy new releases or go to the movie theater.
Those who can't afford TVs, movie players, music players and computers can get free entertainment at the library since the library provides the equipment as well as the entertainment. Sometimes libraries even have theaters and a calendar for when they show movies for free.
Free Tool Rentals
It may be surprising to find out that there are tool libraries. Just like the traditional libraries that lend books for free, these libraries lend tools. Some are specialized for jobs such as electrical work, gardening or community clean up projects. Some are only open to non-profit organizations, but most are open to the public.
You can find a list of tool lending libraries here, or see the Freebies by State page.
Savings table for tool rentals (circular chopping/Miter table saw):
| | Home Depot tool rental
| Sunbelt rentals
| Library |
|---|
chopping/Miter table saw
| Price not posted online
| $37 per day
| FREE!
|
|---|
Buy the saw at Home Depot: $99.00 (cheapest model online)
Buy the saw at Lowes: $109.00 (cheapest model online)
Library tool selection is limited and may not always have the tool that is needed.
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