Your library receipt now has a fun fact in addition to your due date.
The next time you check items out, your receipt will show you how much you saved by borrowing those books, DVDs, audio books and more instead of buying them.
Seeing how much you save with each library visit is one of the features of SPARK, the new circulation system we switched to in June.
This little pile — checked out in anticipation of a long holiday weekend — saved me $189.86. That’s a lot of potato chips.
The total is based on the retail value of the items — and not only shows your tax dollars at work — but may just make you feel a little less guilty when you splurge on that new pair of fall shoes.
Or maybe just pay for new school supplies or a car repair.
And if you love numbers (and/or libraries), check out this online calculator for adding up the value of everything your library card ‘buys’ you — from books to events to hours of free computer use.
Your library card — costs nothing and saves you a bundle.
