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"  I still remember the day, shortly after I&amp;#039;d learned to print my name, that my father took me to our local public library so I could get my first library card. Ever since, in every city in which I&amp;#039;ve lived, one of the first things I do to settle in is visit the library (yes, I have twice as many library cards as credit cards). So what do I love so much about this totally free (if you return items on time) institution? Let me count the ways. 1. It&amp;#039;s not just for bookworms. Sure, libraries are synonymous with bound volumes, but they also lend DVDs (and not just educational ones or foreign films), music CDs (from every genre), books on tape, sheet music, maps, magazines, and more -- the library in my hometown even offers passes for free admission to local museums. 2. You can make reservations. While browsing the shelves is a great way to pass the time, the reserve system is amazing if you a) know exactly what you want and b) want to get in and out fast. You log in to the library website (confession: I have my bar code number memorized), search the catalog for whatever you&amp;#039;re after (I&amp;#039;ve been on a TV series kick lately -- another reason I don&amp;#039;t need cable), and click &amp;quot;reserve.&amp;quot; You get an automated e-mail when your item is ready to be picked up. Plus, the system usually pulls from a network of libraries, so the selection is better than what you&amp;#039;d find at your local branch.  3. It delivers. As eReaders gain popularity, libraries are starting to build electronic collections of ebooks as well as audiobooks that you can download at home for free and later magically disappear from your WiFi-enabled computer, iPod, or smartphone when the loan period is up. And, yes, delivery in the more traditional sense (from volunteers or via the USPS) is often available for people unable to get to the library because of disabilities or other physical limitations.  4. It&amp;#039;s welcoming. Many libraries have free WiFi -- you can grab a table and kill an afternoon surfing the web, without feeling like a freeloader or that you have to keep buying coffee. They also host events -- everything from kids&amp;#039; story hours to outdoor concert series to scrapbooking groups to income-tax assistance (OK, so the last one isn&amp;#039;t so fun, but misery does love company, right?). Thinking of getting an eReader? Read what my colleague Rachel Rothman says about them. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a24015/love-the-library/>