Nerd Alert!! Why I love public libraries….

Austin Powers - nerd alert!

I love libraries….because I heart free entertainment!   I love to geek out and unleash my nerdy sensibilities (quietly and respectfully) at the public library in San Marcos, TX a few times per week.   The downside of public libraries can be encountering members of the general public which includes out-of-control children, weirdos, and the occasional person that needs police restraint.  However, I think it is worth the risk…. 

For the last several years I have been a heavy user of public libraries.  I have always been a reader of books, but during college I could only read for pleasure during winter break and sometimes in the summer. This drove me crazy!!! I kept lists of books that I was waiting to read until break time came around and I was able to relax and read for fun.  I remember being really excited to read the first three Harry Potter books during a winter break from college.

Little Britain television series

When I first began working full time after college I devoted a lot of time to reading and visiting the public library to fund entertainment.   I didn’t make much money, so I borrowed movies from the public library.  The check-out length was one week so I was able to keep track of the due dates and not rack up late fees.  I borrowed entire seasons of TV shows like Lost and Little Britain for free!  There was a great selection of foreign films, documentaries, and yoga DVDs too.  I became slightly obsessed with borrowing films that were new releases too – I could add them to my library account queue while they were still being processed for checkout.  A lot of people also knew about this trick, but the wait time usually wasn’t very long.

I also pursue the library magazine holdings, craft books, and young adult fiction.  Did you know there is a book devoted to Star Wars themed crafts you can make?  There is, and you can make a Jabba the Hut shaped body pillow if you want!  Additionally, I have started taking a free Spanish class every week at my local library.  The San Marcos Public Library even has a free introduction to bee-keeping!  I think I’ll skip this one for now, but I am a sucker for sponging up information that I won’t use...J

Anyway, now you can imagine my future as the crazy cat lady that comes into the library to get her weekly conversation fill with the circulation desk workers and telling people to be quiet when they are typing on their laptops too loudly….