Nonfiction Book Reviews

I know that this isn’t a book review, but I’ve been thinking lately that with me having an “insider’s view” on a local public library, that I was duty bound to share some of the helpful information I’ve learned with others.  If you’re not a big fan of the local library, perhaps this will kick start you on your way.

As a circulation clerk at the local public library, here are some things that I wish more people knew:

**If your library doesn’t have a book, you can probably borrow it from another library.  Unless your library is in the Stone Ages, they are most likely a part of an interlibrary program, where they are able to borrow books and even media materials from other libraries for free.

This means that if your local library has a cruddy selection because you live in No Man’s Land, you aren’t stuck with just those books.  Call your local library and ask for the Interlibrary Department.  Odds are fantastic that such a department does in fact exist.  Our library allows patrons to borrow up to 3 books at a time from other libraries - yours may have different requirements.  Ask - most librarians love to help out patrons (that’s why they do what they do).

**Most libraries have some sort of website where you can log in to your account, and see when your books are due.  You can also most likely renew your books online, do searches for books in the catalog, and even put books on hold.

At our library, patrons can put books on hold, then come in the next day and have all of their books waiting for them on the hold shelf.  Note to mothers with children who tend to scream: This makes for a much less stressful visit to the library, since you can be in and out in less than five minutes.  Feel the tension drain from your body…

**If you want a book but the library doesn’t have it and they can’t get it in from another library for whatever reason, you can always request the book to be ordered in for you.  I’d bet good money that 85% of the library patrons have no idea they can do that, but in our budget, we have money set aside in our budget specifically for patron requests.

For example: In our library, our computer section really stinks.  DOS for Dummies and How to Make Windows 95 Your Friend are our specialties.  We are in the process of ordering all new computer books and weeding out the old, but in the meanwhile, I’ve taken the liberty to write out a list of computer books that we really ought to have.  You’ll see me review one of those books tomorrow.

Yes, it takes longer for you to wait for the book to be ordered, cataloged, and a letter sent to your house telling you the book is in than it does to run down to Barnes & Noble and just buy it, but ordering it through the library is helpful in two ways: A) It’s free to you [what could be better than free?] and B) When other patrons come along and want to read a book on the same topic, it’s there and ready for them to read too.  After all, how many times do you actually reread those books on your shelves?

**Libraries will often give you the option of receiving email notices instead of mailed notices.  Not only does that save a tree and help keep down the operating costs of the library (thereby helping keep your taxes lower) but you also receive the notice much faster, saving you money in overdue fees.

**There is most likely a self-checkout machine at your library.  They don’t work well when the barcode on the book is worn, but if you’ve got all new books and the barcodes are in good shape, using the self-checkout machine will be much faster than checking out at the desk, if there’s a large line at the circulation desk.

On the other hand, if there is no line, always go to the check out desk and check out with a circ clerk - we check out books all day long.  That is our job.  I guarantee you we’re faster than the self-checkout machine.

So now it’s over to my readers: Any of you have tips to share on how to make the most of your library?  I wish I had used the library more often in the past because it would have saved me a lot of money.  I used to spend all of my monthly allowance on books, and then whine because I didn’t have anything to read (that’s what happens when you can read a paperback novel in four hours.  $20 for books a month just doesn’t cut it).

Now I have books flowing out of my ears, and I don’t buy anything but my absolute author favorites.  Barnes and Noble isn’t nearly the temptation it used to be, which is good for my pocketbook and my bookshelves, which were getting mighty crowded.

Hava

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