We all know that you can save money by checking books out at the library instead of buying them. But did you know we can help you save on other things too? A library card unlocks free subscriptions, skill-building classes, family activities, and more!
Here are 10 ways you can save money using the Barrie Public Library:
1. Before you buy something, see if you can borrow it
We offer all kinds of items on loan. Our locations have a wide variety of magazines, movies, TV shows, video games, and CDs available for checkout.
Our Library of Things has so many useful items available to borrow – from telescopes and launchpads to musical instruments and gardening tools. Next time you reach for your wallet, pull out your library card rather than your credit card!
2. Avoid paying for entertainment subscriptions
Before you sign up for yet another subscription service, check to see if we have the movie or TV show at the library! Our collection is being updated with the newest titles. And don’t forget our digital library. On Hoopla you can stream movies and TV shows directly to your computer or mobile device. The average monthly cost of a subscription service is $15.
3. Reserve passes to local parks for free
Looking to explore local conservation areas and parks on a budget? Our Library of Things collection offers Ontario Parks Vehicle Permits and Wye Marsh Family Day Passes. These passes save you about $12 and $48 in admission fees, respectively.
4. Print your documents at a discount
You can use our locations printers or remote printing to print out documents like homework assignments, shipping labels, and flyers. There’s a small fee of 20 cents per page (black & white or colour), but it’s cheaper than printing at an office supply store or shipping center. For example, Staples’ prices start at 20 cents per page but increase depending on your documents.
5. Get free homework help
Your library card grants you access to Brainfuse, an online tutoring platform that provides on-demand tutoring, self-study lessons, practice tests, career advice, and more. It’s a sweet deal considering that the average hourly rate for a private tutor starts at $21.
Our library staff can help with school projects and assignments too. If you need to research something, they can identify relevant books or direct you to the appropriate resources.
6. Take free fitness, music, and language online classes
Our library offers free online classes for whatever hobby you are pursuing. Try Learn It Live for live and recorded fitness classes. Access ArtistWorks for online music lessons for all learning levels. You can also learn a new language with Transparent Language, our online language learning platform with lessons available in over 100 languages. These free resources will save you money on a gym membership, music lessons, and tutors.
7. Attend programs and events without charge
Our three locations host a variety of free programs and events for adults, teens, kids, and seniors. From Friday Flicks to Maker Meetups, we provide many activities that help you develop a love for literacy, community connections, new skills, and more. Check out our Events Calendar to find a program for you!
8. Access free study rooms and workspaces
Do you need a place to work or study but don’t want to go to a coffee shop and buy something to work there? There are many spaces available for drop-ins and reservations at all our locations.
9. Repair your items at no cost
Why buy something new if you can fix what you already have? Throughout the year, we host Repair Cafés in collaboration with Living Green Barrie. Bring in your broken household items in need of some love for our fixers to repair them at no cost.
And for those who have a beloved bike that might need repairing, check out a Bike Repair Kit to save on the cost of paying for repairs.
10. Get free advice from a coach
Our library staff are trained to help you with tech, genealogy, business, and our Cricut machines. Save time (and money) by booking a free one-hour coaching session for help navigating your technology, researching your family history or improving your business.