Are tariffs going to raise the cost of books? Honestly, who even knows anymore?
Regardless, it’s nice to save money where you can, so if you’re not buying from indie bookstores, consider the public library. Yes, those still exist, and they’re even cooler than you remember from childhood.
For introverted bookworms and those facing accessibility challenges, going to a library may seem like a daunting task, but here’s some good news: you don’t need to leave the house to access the Calgary Public Library.
Don’t have a library card? You can register for free online.
Read eBooks and audiobooks
If you have a phone and a library card, Libby is about to become your new best friend. Sign in to your local library to browse thousands of eBooks and audiobooks, and rent them for free. Since downloading the app in 2022, I’ve borrowed 232 books (and believe it or not, listened to/read most of them).
I especially like to listen to audiobooks while doing housework or commuting, but the app is also a game-changer for getting caught up on your endless TBR without spending a fortune on books.
Stream music
Freegal Music offers over 18 million songs across over 200 genres for library cardholders, with 200,000 new songs added each month. This means you can have access to virtually unlimited music for free, from yesterday’s favourites to today’s pop hits.
Stream as much music as you want, with up to five song downloads each week.
Learn something new
Whether you’re writing a paper for class or learning for the fun of it, the Calgary Library has access to many databases that are a goldmine of information. Search full-text academic journals, magazines and newspapers through Academic Search Premier, all things literature through the Literature Resource Center, historical databases through the Alberta Research Portal, and more.
There’s also a featured collection of stories by Indigenous authors about Indigenous culture from publishers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Watch movies and television
You don’t need to pay through the nose for a streaming subscription. Kanopy partners with public libraries and universities to offer ad-free films and series that can be enjoyed on TV, mobile phone, tablet, and online.
While it may not have the newest releases, it boasts a wide range of film genres, documentaries, and children’s television shows.
That’s a lot of content for the cost of a library card, which is free. And just the tip of the iceberg of what the Calgary Public Library has to offer. Visit a location near you or check out its website to learn more.
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