It’s summer and a great time to use the resources of your local library. However, if you’re anything like me (and several others I’ve read about online) you tend to forget to return some library books and fines start accruing. Here’s some simple ideas to help you avoid paying library fines. Use one or use them all. Do you have a different system? Leave a comment to tell us about it.
- The Library Shelf — all of our library books live on the Library Shelf. This is 1 section of our shelves dedicated to library books. When not being read no books are allowed in kid’s bedrooms, or laying all over the house (too many lost). This way we always know where the books are.
- The Library Bag — when we’re done reading a book it goes in the Library Bag. This bag goes with us to the library. We currently use a heavy duty Old Navy fabric bag like this one. When it’s time to go to the library, just grab the bag and go. No need to scrounge around the house and look for the books to return. This also helps with library runs on a whim. I just take the bag and go.
- Write it Down — write down your due dates. Many libraries offer you a printed receipt with due dates. Place it on your fridge so you can see it every day. Or, note the due date on you calendar.
- Check the website — does your library offer online access to your account? If so, check it out and see when your books are due. Also, use this feature to renew books that you want to keep past their due date. Doing so lets you keep the book longer and avoids fines.
Wondering what others do with their library books? Check out some other blogs:
Marcia at Organising Queen about Library Fines
The Happy Housewife’s Book Basket
Happy Summer Reading!
Are you a school employee or even a Book Fair Volunteer? If so, you can shop at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale. Look for a location near you. Then register online and print out your coupon for $10 off $50 or $25 off $100+. This is a higher percentage off than past sales.
Most sales are the 2nd and 3rd week in May. Stock up for summer reading, gifts, etc. Many books and Scholastic branded items can be found for up to 80% off publisher price.
Locally, Scholastic sponsors school Book Fairs and many teachers offer monthly book orders through Scholastic. So, many of the titles you’ve seen in the flyers will also be available at the warehouse. Note that hot selling items will probably not be available. When Harry Potter came out it was not offered at their Warehouse Sale — even though it was published by Scholastic. But don’t be detered, there’s lots of great books out there.
If you’re in the Greater Cincinnati area, there’s a warehouse in West Chester off I-75 and Union Centre Blvd (not far from IKEA and the Frontgate Outlet). (Note the change in hours from past sales.)
Our sale is Wed., 5/5/10 – Wed., 5/19/10
Weekdays 11 AM – 7 PM
Saturdays 10 AM – 3 PM
closed Sundays
Here’s a PDF flyer from Scholastic about the sale.
The Tri-County Half Price Books is relocating. New store opening in the Shoppes of Indian Springs near Bridgewater Falls. Check your newspaper for opening days coupons of 20-40% off a single item.
Half Price Books is a great place to go for used and discounted new books. The selection is always changing so you never know what you’ll find.
It’s that time of year again…..time to start thinking about a veggie garden. If you want to start from plants, Lowe’s in the Cincinnati area is offering $0.99 veggie plants through May 3rd. If you don’t have some plants growing in a window, or want to get a jump start on the growing season, these plants can help out. I’ve already got tomatoes growing in my window, but I’m going to check out their other veggie offerings.
Need help learning how to garden? Two of my favorite places:
Ohio State University Extension Services offers TONS of great information on gardening locally.
The All New Square Foot Gardening book by Sqft Gardening Expert Mel Bartholomew is on our home reference shelf. We’re always reaching to Mel’s knowledge as we try to be better gardeners. This book is a must have in our family.
Do you love books? Do you want to expand your personal library for a great cause? Check out a local Library Book Sale.
In addition to the Middletown Library Book Sale this weekend, you may want to check out the Lane Libraries Book Sale. This large event is being held at the Butler County Fairgrounds NE of downtown Hamilton on Rt 4. A “Friends of the Library” preview on Friday April 30th. Then Open to the public on Saturday. Check out more information at The Lane.
Happy Reading!
Need a few more books around the house? Friends of the Middletown Library (in Butler County) are having a book sale this weekend. Full info here.
Friends only preview sale Thursday April 29th 3-7pm
Public sale Saturday May 1st 10am – 4pm (library is closed on Fridays)
Bring a bag and stuff it with books (paperback, large print, children’s), dvds, and cds for just $5. What a great way to support the local library and put some more reading books on your shelf.
Use Google Maps to help you get to the Middletown Library.
This morning I read on the Happy Housewife blog that this week is National Library Week. That lady is so smart. She’s always got great useful and insightful information. Check her out. So, she asked what each of us was reading this week and so I decided to write a short review of the library book on my shelf.
I don’t know how I found this book, but I’m sure glad I did. I’ve been reading Rafe Esquith’s Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-up, Muddle-up, Shook-up World. Doesn’t the title just make you want to pick it up and see what it’s about? Mr. Esquith has taught in Los Angeles for more than 24 years and won awards including the American Teacher Award. Doing a few google searches I see that there are many references to his non-traditional teaching style and he’s often referred to as one of the best teachers in America.
Mr Esquith uses a trip to a baseball game with some of his students as a backdrop for the book. As the innings go by he talks about different skills children need in their intellectual backpacks. These are not just paper, pencil, books, but skills for life. He reminds us that these are often not easy to learn and master, but they are important. A few of my favorites include:
- Focus — take away the ipod and TV and listen to a game on the radio. This requires much concentration to understand what is happening on the field. When we learn to focus we can accomplish great things.
- Take the TV out — he tells a great story of a teacher who was frustrated with one student who always came to class tired and without her homework. Upon visiting the home he found the family eating dinner in front of the TV and the mother not willing to make and enforce rules about homework and the TV. It’s important for us to teach our children to not be roped into mindlessly watching TV, just because it’s available.
- Philanthropy — Mr Esquith notes that selflessness isn’t a one-time act but a way of life. He teaches his students to be thankful and giving. One game he plays (I think daily) begins with “I’d like to thank….” and then the students thank others for their kindness and helpfulness that day.” He encourages us to do things for others every day and not be worried about the praise and honor of men. We do the right things because they are right, not because someone else will notice.
In reading this book I found that there are many things that our family is already doing, and I found it reassuring to note that we seem to be on the right track. But Mr Esquith gives a multitude of examples and how they work or don’t work. I think we’re going to start the “I’d like to thank….” during dinner. What a great way to learn about the day to day lives of our family and also have some uplifting dinner conversation.
So, if you work with children in any way, I strongly recommend you read this book. It’s a quick 192 pages, but it’s packed full of great insight.
Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this review. The author nor the publisher knows I’m writing this blog post. I am receiving no compensation. If you do buy this book through my link to Amazon I am paid a small referral fee which is used to offset the costs associated with running this blog. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
