Before this year, I probably haven't had a true library card since I was in high school. Sure, I used the library in college, but that was just another function of your college i.d., and I didn't have to actually go and apply for a card.
I was recently doing research for this post, and wasn't finding what I needed for free on the net so I decided to take a trip down to my local library and look for some articles. Seeing as how I haven't been in college for ten years, I assumed that this would involve some computer work on-site, and possible some work on the microfiche machine (how's that for dating myself?).
Let's just say that things have changed at the library. Turns out that once you have your library card (easily obtained with a picture ID and proof of address), you can search articles from THOUSANDS of periodicals, email the articles to yourself, look through the card catalog, and order books ... all from the comfort of your own home.
There is no longer the need for paying for those pricey NY Times articles, or for filling out the horribly invasive (and non-working) application in order to be able to view current LA Times articles ... I just go to the library site, plug in my library card number and search search away.
Searching for that old recipe in the New York Times? No problem. Want to check out the amount of vegetables that California imports and exports each year (foreshadow for an upcoming post)? Log in and search away.
The article database seems to be completely up-to-date. Usually you can find an article within a day or so of it being printed. I have found very few limits to this system (One being the ability to search the U.S. version of the Wall Street Journal, though they have International versions).
Library services differ from state to state and county to county, obviously. I know for a fact that the computerized system is available throughout California.
So, dear readers, take a few minutes out of your day this week and go down and get a library card at your local library. If you're anything like me, it will open up a whole world of new resources to tap at the best price you can ask for -- free.
Illustration credit: Bulloch County Schools website, Georgia
