September 10, 2012

I'm an Information Ninja

I did it you guys. I went to the library the other week and I got myself a library card. Who am I?! I never use the library. I have nothing against people who use the library - in fact, I think they are quite genius in doing so, seeing as how books from the library are FREE. BUT...I just like to own my books. And I don't like to have to wait my turn for a certain book. And I definitely don't like to have time constraints placed on when I read said book. "Oh, it's my turn to read this book now? But I have to pick it up tomorrow and I have to read it before three weeks is over?"  What if I'm in the middle of a really good book? How do you library-goers prioritize your book reading then? And what if it's a really good book that you want to own - do you purchase your own copy afterwards?

But I digress. I got myself a library card. And it is the coolest library card I have ever seen. Check it out:



I'm an Information Ninja. I freakin' love it.

Of course, I didn't check anything out that day. Let's not get crazy now. Baby steps for this library-virgin. So, why then, did I even get a library card? The short answer: audiobooks. The long answer: I've been trying to listen to audiobooks when I'm driving around in the car - which some days, is a lot. My first audiobook experience was pretty much a fail and took me almost 6 months to complete. But, I'm determined to develop a love for audiobooks. The thing is though, audiobooks are crazy expensive, and I don't listen to enough audiobooks to make it worthwhile to get an account on audible. I knew you could take out audiobooks from the library, but I never realized how great their selection actually is. So, for once, it finally made sense for me to get a library card.

Last week, I even went back to the library and actually checked something out:




  Tell me: Are you a library-lover or a library-virgin? 

28 comments:

  1. I felt the same way as you and owning the books! After a while, I felt so overwhelmed with all of the books that I had that I was done with, and ever since I made the decision to decline book review requests, I've been going to the library and picking older books (older meaning published recently but not the newest and hottest item!) and I've had such a much better experience. The library is amazing!

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    1. I'd like to get to the point where I've read a big chunk of my unread books I have here already and then start utilizing the library. Because the truth is, (and I'm sure we all have this problem), we spend A LOT of money on books we don't end up loving.

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  2. Hey, if I'm good at anything it's library membership.
    It's a (really not so) fine art Brie! You can develop it.
    The library is great. You have 10 days from when the hold comes in for you, so it's easy to leave it for a little while if you don't want to pick it up straight away. Then the 3 weeks (and renewable 2 times, if possible)... so it's very doable. I manage it and if I can't get to something... I just re-request it.
    And, yes, if I read something from the library and I adore it, I will buy it after the fact. There is just so much amazing stuff to be had from the library that you would probably never buy for yourself.
    My library card says "Chicks dig big brains". Gotta love the EPL.
    I'm glad you've joined.
    See you at frisbee!
    Heather

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    1. Well when you present it that way, I have no rebuttal! :)

      Ohhh I love your library card, too! It was hard to pick, actually - I liked them all. I like that the library put effort into making their library cards "cool". ;)

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  3. I've got a library card through my One Card for the U of A, and I love it. :) I do agree that it's hard to balance library books with the books you're already reading, especially when it's books that are in demand and so they take a while to show up, but I always think that if I can't get to it before it's due, then at least you don't lose anything. :P You can always take it out again after all. :) It's really handy for books you're unsure of though, or for things like audiobooks, like you said. I hope that the audiobooks you borrow can win you over! :D

    And your library card is awesome....mine's just my One Card. I kind of wish I had a real library card now...I wanna be an information ninja. :P

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    1. YES! That's the best thing about the library! Even if you don't get to the book, it's still there! It's not like you ONLY get 3 weeks and that's final. You can always put your name back on the list! I'm like Ambur and like to get books I'm unsure of out from the library -- I've paid too much for books that suck. Then I donate them to the library anyway. I'd rather buy the books I love!

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    2. I know - I try not to think about the money I've spent on books only to give them away later. Even the bargain books and thrift store books add up in cost.

      Ambur - I figure even if at first I only use my library card for audiobooks, it's a good first step lol! I'd like to make a big dent in my TBR pile (of owned books) and then start using the library for books too.

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    3. Yup, exactly like Kristilyn said...you can always take it out again! Plus, if I like it and know I'll read it again...I buy myself a copy, or I'll gift it to someone else since I enjoyed it. :)

      It sure is! :D It will definitely help you since you can listen to them in the car, which is nice. :) I'd like to make a dent in my TBR pile of one's I own, too! Hopefully we can both make progress. :)

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  4. Yay for a library card!! :) I hate having to wait for books, too, though -- but I like to check and see what new books my library's getting in and put a hold on the ones I'm desperate for ASAP. Of course, then they all come in at the same time! I have to prioritize -- I see what books have holds on them and try to read them first. Then, the ones that aren't in high demand can get renewed.

    I LOVE AUDIOBOOKS! I use my library AND I have an Audible account, so I paid $7.99 for the first 3 months (each), then $14.99 for each month after. The best thing is to wait for BOGO sales and get the books you really want through that. VERY cost-effective, BUT I also check my library website AND the TAL website to make sure the audiobook I want isn't available anywhere else in the province. THEN I can justify buying it. If you're buying audiobooks on disc, then yes, they are CRAZY expensive, but Audible makes it worth it.

    I'm sad that your first audiobook experience was a 6-month-listen! That's just nuts! My first listen was done in a day. It was a 4-hour Jay Leno audiobook. Not the best book, but it was a good introduction. SO MANY THINGS can get done while listening! I have one on the go right now (Ashes, Ashes, by Jo Treggiari) and plan to listen while doing house stuff tomorrow and while running errands. Of course, I listen to music a lot in the car, too, but it's nice to have audiobooks for those weeks when I have a ton to do.

    I'm excited for you!

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    1. Well, I'm now on my 3rd audiobook and it's going much better! I've learnt, from experience and your audio reviews, that the narrator makes a big difference in enjoyment factor! I just wish I was into audiobooks back when I was still living in BC and would do the drive from BC to Edmonton a few times a year! Think of all that "wasted" time in the car....! LOL. I mean, I listen to music in the car too, and still bounce back and forth depending on my mood and length of drive.

      I think if I read as many books in a week as you do, I would definitely use the library! But, I'm still trying to figure out a better routine with my reading - like I've said before, I'm really good at wasting time during the day when I could be reading instead ;p

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  5. I never knew you felt so strongly about the Library! :) I always thought you were a huge fan, but now i understand why. That girl on your audiobook is from the Office! She is hilarious, is it about her life? Congrats on your cool new card Banana! xoxoxo

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    1. Haha, oh ya, I feel very strongly about the library! ;) I am a huge fan of libraries in that I think they are amazing buildings and how can I not love a building full of books? But, I didn't like actually using them. What I'd really love is my OWN library! :D

      And yes, that audiobook is by Mindy Kaling - or Kelly Kapoor as we know her from the office. It's a "humour" book, but it's about her life and I'm quite enjoying it!

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  6. That is the BEST library card.

    But I so agree with you about not using the library because what are these shenanigans? I have a certain amount of time in which I have to read the book? and I have to wait my turn? (But really I should probably give those things a try cos, you know, free books. Even if I have to give them back.)

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    1. THANK YOU! Someone who gets this major dilemma in the library! ;)

      We'll see if I ever get to the books there...

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  7. I love the library!! I recommend getting a list from your friends of great books they've read in the last year or so, and then requesting only books from that list - they are usually available sooner because they aren't the hottest new books out there. The biggest plus: if the book turns out to be a total disappointment, you haven't wasted any money on it.

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    1. That's a great idea actually. I think that's why it seems overwhelming because the new books always have wait lists of months long and often have to be read in a shorter time period. And yes, I'm starting to acknowledge that I spend way too much money on books - which would be ok if I loved every book I ever bought, but unfortunately, this seems to be the case with fewer and fewer books lately.

      Like I said, baby-steps! Audiobooks for now...books later :)

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  8. I'm a library virgin because I dislike reading "used" books. I feel like I get an allergic reaction to them. My face and arms turn itchy and red. But I'm thinking about getting a card when I move to Edmonton because I'll have to pay a mortgage and won't have spare cash to buy books and I hear that the Edmonton library lends out ebooks. So I think I'll use it for ebooks and not paper copies. I haven't tried audio books before. I like music to crazy person steering wheel dance to after a long day at work. Do audio books give the same stress relief or is it completely different?

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    1. The "used" book thing doesn't bother me, because I love finding books at thrift stores and second-hand bookstores. I think I just prefer getting to pick up a book and reading it whenever I feel like it (rather than when the library has it in stock, etc).

      No, I'd have to say that audiobooks aren't as relaxing as music - and I say this only because I'm still new to audiobooks, and I find you have to actively listen in order to follow the story - my mind wanders A LOT when I'm listening to a book lol. Music, well music you can just escape into it, doesn't matter if you are paying attention or not, ya know? That's why I bounce back and forth between the two depending on time of day, and my mood. Driving home from work usually always = music time! :)

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  9. I hardly ever use my library card, but seeing as I'm still 18 and under, it's still free. Like you said, I hate waiting for books, and I also just love having my own copy of a book, it feels better. But I WILL be using the library more often this year.

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    1. I know - I just like knowing that "this book is mine!!" :D

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  10. Thanks for stopping by my blog this week Brie! I've explored your blog too and I love it! It's nice to meet another fellow Canadian. My husband grew up in Edmonton, but we live on the West Coast.

    I don't know about Alberta, but we have an online website that connects all of the BC libraries, and that's where I download my audiobooks. The nice thing is that I don't have to change CDs while I'm driving, and I don't run into the occasional skipping CD. (I actually had to return one audiobook and borrow the print version to finish because it skipped constantly!) When I download the audiobook, it's a three week loan, but I've discovered that as long as I don't sync my iPod on the computer, I can keep the audiobook as long as I need to. Which is helpful, since it often takes me longer than three weeks.

    P.S. I love the "library ninja" card!!

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    1. Hey Melissa! I'm so glad we "found" eachother ;)

      I've heard about being able to download audiobooks from the library - the problem is, I have an old ipod and an old car lol. The connection to play the ipod over my speakers goes through the radio so it isn't the best connection! I seriously need to invest in a new ipod that's for sure! I'm thinking of downloading an audiobook or two for our trip out East next week so that I can listen to a book on my ipod if we are in the car for long periods of time. Unfortunately, I cannot read in a moving vehicle other than planes :(

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    2. You'll definitely enjoy it when you make the switch from CDs ... I no longer have to try to switch discs while driving, and I'm sure the road is a much safer place ;-)

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  11. I am totally with you on this and I may have to use you as inspiration here. I don't have a library card either. I don't like feeling as if I have a time limit, for me it takes away from the enjoyment of the book a bit to feel like I HAVE to read it in a set amount of time. But, I have been considering it lately as well because, c'mon who can argue with free, right?

    I haven't ever listened to an audiobook either. I have been seeing a lot more reviews for them lately, so I think it's something that I should give a shot at some point as well.

    And yeah, that's an awesome card. I want one now just to have the card, not gonna lie.

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    1. YOU don't have a library card?! This really surprised me actually lol!

      But yes, I totally agree - whenever I "have" to read a book in a certain period of time (like book club - haha like that's gonna sell you on a book club now!), it always feels rushed and does take out a lot of the enjoyment...

      You should definitely try out audiobooks - it's a bit more challenging but a good way to get in that extra book ;)

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  12. I've worn out several library cards - I take out Cd's, movies, video games, and many many books! Sometimes I don't like the time restrictions, but sometimes when I don't know what to read next, a book comes in at the library for me and decides it :) I've only ever tried one audio book - when we drove to Washington a few years ago, but I've downloaded one from iTunes that I'm going to give a try and see if I get more things done around the house! LOL I like to read a new series or author from the library first, and if I love it THEN I buy it for myself so I don't have to wait! My library card is old school - I don't have one of those cool new ones :( maybe I should request one? Hahahah

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    1. I had no idea they had video games until I actually went there the other week! And DVDs! I can see my library card getting lots of use, even if it's not for physical books! ;)

      This is a good point about not knowing what you want to read next - this happens to me ALL.THE.TIME. And sometimes I kinda wish someone would just tell me what to read (as long as it was on my TBR list) - I could see the library solving this dilemma at times :)

      You should totally request a new one! They had so many awesome ones to choose from, all with neat sayings on them.

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  13. *late to the party*

    I've always had a library card, but didn't start using it till about four years ago. I was planning my wedding and realized I had to cut back on expenses to pay for the thing! My disposable income went three places: clothes/make up, going out, and book. So the easiest change to make was to stop buying books. And I found that I loved it! I would put books on hold and walk over to Stanley Milner on my lunch hour. I love how they'd be waiting for me on the shelf :)

    I haven't looked back. I always get gift certificates for my birthday and Christmas, but other than that, I either go to the library or look in Wee Book. Though lately, I *have* been buying ebooks. I know I can get those from the library too... just have to figure out how.

    Waitlists aren't a huge deal for me, as I rarely read new releases. If I do, those are the ones I'll get as e-books.

    I almost always have to renew multiple times, though. I had to renew Les Mis three times, then take it out again!

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