while i was trapped at the library today...

[inky leeuhhh]

my brakes went out today, and i ended up trapped at the library while dh dealt with the car for THREE HOURS. by myself too, which never happens. anyway, as i was looking around (it was so nice to be in the library and not deal with the kiddos btw), i realized something. i could put together a full curriculum for dd for free just by using the library. granted, i would probably miss some of the conveniences packaged curriculum offers (math workbooks were the one thing that stood out), but still. i have no idea what made me think this was so interesting or surprising. lol. i feel kind of dumb posting this because yeah... its the library, but as a working homeschooling mom who is (hopefully) going to become a very frugal stay at home homeschooling mom sometime in the next year, it was kind of a relief. i will say though that i was unable to find any books on the actual topic of homeschooling in the entire library @@ .

[zebra15]

Yep.. the library!

[kathymuggle]

I  work at a library.

Things you can do at/with a library:

-browse shelves

-browse catalogue

-place holds...from your branch or others in the system

-If you cannot find the item you want...ask the librarian about inter library loan.  I am not kidding - I can get almost any item over a year old.  I am stumped only about 1 time in 50.

-We have DVD's, books on tape, programs  (example: we have hooked on phonics).

-libraries have online resources - many of them meant for kids/or kids projects.

-we have numerous free programs a year.  

-We have online language programs on our system

-We lend out passes (for free) to museums in a nearby city

I  the library - and I have the best job in the world!

(PS - do not feel silly posting...you would not believe the number of people I run into who do not know the resources you can access at the library.  I am not sure libraires do the best job advertising their services)

[inky leeuhhh]

i think we normally just run into the library, pick things out really fast because dd2 is loud/ wiggly, and then leave.. so i had never really explored my options there. i had never looked in the grown- up section for books that might be useful for dd1's homeschooling, checked out the computers, yadda yadda... and it was so much easier to study there (taking geography this quarter) than at home :oX .

[mattemma04]

I love library interloan. If I can not get something at my place it gets shipped in from participating locations. I used to get PC learning games all the time,which is something my local one does not even carry.

I have also put in suggestions for books/dvds I hope the library will order.Sometimes they do!

[Marsupialmom]

Yes, you can use the library for a lot of books!!!  But I will admit sometimes it is easier and best to just by the book.  

Art books that show you how to draw - we have our basic books that have stayed on our selves and then supplement with other stuff.  

I do not regret my purchase of Kingfisher History of Encyclopedia or Science Encyclopedia.  I pull stuff from net and library to supplement. I have used these books with all three of my children.  They are so warn they cannot be passed on.  I am glad my kids have had these so not to destroy library books.  

Now with eReaders you can get so many other books for free. 

[deditus]

I love the library! I just had my card put on Educator status so I can put up to 50 books on hold (instead of just 10) and have no fines on print material. The librarian also gave me a form that I can fill out and fax, mail, or drop off to have them pull books for me on a certain subject and age range.

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by Marsupialmom 

Yes, you can use the library for a lot of books!!!  But I will admit sometimes it is easier and best to just by the book.  

Art books that show you how to draw - we have our basic books that have stayed on our selves and then supplement with other stuff.  

I do not regret my purchase of Kingfisher History of Encyclopedia or Science Encyclopedia.  I pull stuff from net and library to supplement. I have used these books with all three of my children.  They are so warn they cannot be passed on.  I am glad my kids have had these so not to destroy library books.  

Now with eReaders you can get so many other books for free. 

i agree- there are certain books that are better off bought and paid for!

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by deditus 

I love the library! I just had my card put on Educator status so I can put up to 50 books on hold (instead of just 10) and have no fines on print material. The librarian also gave me a form that I can fill out and fax, mail, or drop off to have them pull books for me on a certain subject and age range.

[ocelotmom]

Our library lets you SCHEDULE HOLDS!!!!

(Why yes, I've been blabbering about this all over the net for the past 2 months since I discovered it. I think it's the best thing since sliced bread. Better, in fact, since we don't do wheat.)

I love it! I have holds on all my supplemental books for this year scheduled to activate about 2-3 weeks before we're scheduled to do the topic in question. I could schedule everything for next year too if I felt like it!

I also put stuff for me on reserve with random dates in the nearish future (within the next 6 months or so) so that they'll pop up and surprise me.

Being able to place holds via the internet is huge in itself. I hear about a book I want, I put it on hold, and I can go pick it up and be in and out of there in 5 minutes (or spend the time focusing on keeping the kids behaving) rather than having to try to browse through the stacks. Don't get me wrong, I love browsing through the stacks, but obviously it's different when you've got impatient kid(s) to keep track of at the same time.

Our local library is small, but the ILL system (also searchable/reservable from home) is huge, and has most everything I've looked for, plus things like Hooked on Phonics, Muzzy (OMG, on DVD too now that I actually search for it!!!), a large selection of Leappad books/cartridges, and other stuff in addition to the usual books, videos, and CDs.

I <3 our library, and think it's my favorite thing since moving here.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by deditus 

I love the library! I just had my card put on Educator status so I can put up to 50 books on hold (instead of just 10) and have no fines on print material. The librarian also gave me a form that I can fill out and fax, mail, or drop off to have them pull books for me on a certain subject and age range.

OH, I wish our library had "educator status".  I pay so many fines, it is unreal.  They all joke that I need to come back to work simply for the fine exempt status! (I used to work there.)

And to the OP, the books on homeschooling were probably checked out.  Do a search and place a hold.  Many of the best books never hit a shelf--they are too popular.  I am glad you were "trapped" at the library without kids--what an opportunity to find out what is available.  I don't buy anything for history, and I rarely buy books for science.  We use the library! (books, dvds, etc)  But, like you noticed--the convenience of a math workbook is wonderful.  I do buy those.  Each year, I seem to buy less because I realize how much I didn't use from the year before.  A lot of waste.  

Amy

eta:  I do realize that there is a "simple" solution to the fines -- returning books on time.  But I am not always ready to give them back and if they have holds, I can't renew them.  And then there are the times that I misplace an item.  They usually turn up, so I would rather pay a late fee than a materials fee. .. . . 

[St. Margaret]

I am drooling over the thought of scheduling holds! We can normally renew books indefinitely at our local branch so I tend to just get stuff well ahead, but I would so love to be able to plan out like that!!! OMG, I might suggest this to them... maybe someday! :)

Our other library has pretty good books on HSing, even unschooling... but while we def will need certain books bought down the line, for now we entirely just use the library (and other free resources we scrounge up from home/TV/community) to homeschool.  I love going onto the catalog and finding just the perfect books for a theme DD requested!  I am often even able to have DD play for a few minutes while I pull together a week right there, if I've fallen behind-- some books won't be in but we still find amazing stuff!

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by inky leeuhhh . i will say though that i was unable to find any books on the actual topic of homeschooling in the entire library @@ .

All checked out? If they're around they'll be in the 360s (just to save you time if you decide to check on another day)

[Leav97]

I love our library.  No limits on the amount of books you can check out.  If no one is waiting for a book, I can renew online for 3 months.