You know how libraries rock, right?
You know how libraries rock, right?
You know... I'm not sure you do.
Let me tell you why they rock: obviously it has something to do with the fact that instead of going to a bookstore (or a store with books) and laying out hard earned money for something you will likely read only once you can go to a library and get the same book | same experience for little or no expense. As if that weren't enough, say you want a book in an alternative format (audio tapes, anyone?) but would have even less reason to buy a copy for yourself -- a library has it. But what if my library doesn't have the title I'm looking for? They get it for you. For free. That rocks!
Okay, now for the part I'd never thought of until now -- and this really doesn't rock because I've just figured it out in my last semester -- you can just go check out the books you need for class without spending a dime on the ever-more-expensive required reading. Why am I just figuring this out? This summer I have spent nada on books for 9 credit-hours worth, and each class has required reading. Several books were there waiting for me at the library and one (with a price tag of $130+) was rushed to me through inter-library loan. I can't believe I didn't think of this before.
How many books that you bought for college courses do you still have? I have a handful from my undergrad, and none from my masters. However, I imagine I spent at least $3,000 over the years for that vanishing paper, and probably got 10% back from "trade-ins". It all seems so silly now.
So here's my advice -- race to the bookstores with a pen and paper, write down the required reading, and then just check the shelves or request a book-on-loan and save some money.
... and you might not want to tell your friends about this. But I'll thank one that told me: aloha Marcus.
