All Free Today!

I will never cease to be amazed at how many people still think they have to pay to use the library.

True, you do have to pay for some things in our library. Copies and printouts. And I know that other libraries have had to charge for people to rent movies if they're not doing well financially.

But in general? The whole point of libraries is that they're free. Free books. Free movies. Free CDs. Computer use. Talking books. Reference assistance. Research websites. That's the beauty of it all!

And yet, people still get surprised when they find out they don't have to pay for their ticket in - the library card.

A woman came in yesterday to get cards for her and her kids. After she had filled out the paperwork, she asked incredulously, "We don't have to pay anything?" Nope.

The other day, a boy came up to the desk to buy a candy bar (Oh, that's something else that costs something. Because it's a fundraiser). After he used his dollar, he suddenly looked down at the movies he had in his other hand and quickly asked, "How much are movies?" He got scared that he had used his dollar on a candy bar and now couldn't get movies! Don't worry, kid. For you? They're free.

So spread the word! Bookstores might be closing, prices might be climbing, but the library is still free. And how awesome is that?