Appreciation post: My 3-year-old library card is still my best hobby tool

Three years ago I was dead broke after moving to Austin for a job that fell through. I got a library card out of desperation, figuring I could at least read for free. Last month I realized I've checked out over 40 books, 15 movies, and even a ukulele from their 'library of things' program. Last week I picked up a watercolor kit from their art section and painted for 3 hours on a Sunday. For zero dollars, I've learned bread baking, basic guitar chords, and started drawing again. Has anyone else found unexpected free stuff at their library that changed your hobby game?

2 comments

2 Comments

shah.olivia29d ago

The real game changer nobody talks about is how libraries are leveling the economic playing field for hobbies... like yeah you can buy a ukulele for 40 bucks but what if you're not sure you'll stick with it past a month. That watercolor kit you mentioned probably would have cost twenty dollars or more at a craft store, and most people would never drop that on a whim when they're broke. Libraries are basically letting people test drive entire hobbies before they invest any real money into them. It takes the pressure off too because if you suck at drawing or hate the guitar after two weeks, you just return everything and move on with no guilt. More people should look at their library as a "try before you buy" setup for random interests.

grantthomas29d ago

Oh wow, I actually just read an article about how libraries are basically becoming community centers with all the weird stuff they lend out now. That ukulele thing is wild, never knew they did that.