I hype up libraries all the time mostly because they’re free. But, are they eco? Let’s find out!

Today, let’s explore the eco-friendliness of libraries and also allow me to tell you about all of the services that libraries provide because they’re more than just books.

Why is borrowing eco-friendly

There’s this really cool organization in the UK called Borrow Don’t Buy that is focused on getting away from throwaway culture to save money and the planet. I think they say it best when it comes to the importance of borrowing: “Instead of drawing from the earth’s natural resources and contributing towards their depletion, we encourage reuse and, therefore, more limited use of resources. This leads to reduced use of raw materials, water, energy, and space.”

Basically what it comes down to is instead of 100 people buying a brand new book, a brand new sewing machine, a brand new computer, and so forth, all 100 people can borrow just 1 item. This greatly reduces the amount of resources that have to be extracted, the number of things that need to be created, and the pieces of garbage that end up in the landfill. And, since our landfills are running out of space, it is important to reduce what we send to them.

Of course, we have other options such as shopping secondhand and donating our used items. These are fine! But, there is a dark side to thrift stores. I personally think that borrowing is still better, but naturally, there is no 100% perfect option.

What do libraries have to offer?

We often associate libraries with books. Rightfully so! It was the original form of media and libraries have been around for centuries! According to the Guinness World Records, “The oldest known library was assembled by Ashurbanipal, King of the Assyrians, between 668 and 631 BCE. It was located in his royal palace in Nineveh (in present-day northern Iraq, near Mosul), and included some 30,000 clay tablets, inscribed with cuneiform writing.”

But, in modern times, libraries can provide us with so much more (note, not all libraries will have 100% of these services):

Print books
Audiobooks on your phone (through apps like Libby and Hoopla) or on CD
E-books on your phone (through apps like Libby and Hoopla)
Free Wi-Fi for those who need it (homeless people, your power is out, students, etc)
Free restrooms
Free energy, AC, and heat…a great place to charge your devices and escape the elements
Printing services (not always free, but very low cost)
Board games and puzzles to borrow
Video games
Movies and TV shows
Free computer usage for researching, job applications, etc
Magazine and newspaper borrowing
Book delivery services to your door or delivered to your closest library
3-D printers
Classes and workshops
Children’s programs
Audio recording rooms
Local history sections that may be hard to find that information in other places
Rooms to have meetings or to study
Helpful librarians!

All of this and MORE available to you totally for free. Head to your local library to see what they specifically offer since they are all different. But, I have seen these at least once in all of the libraries I have visited.

As an avid reader, libraries saved me roughly $1800 in 2024. I borrowed around 90 books (Dan borrowed another 30 or so that I didn’t even account for) and new books cost around $20 each. But, in 2025, I will be tracking down to the penny how much libraries save me so stay tuned for that!

What if they don’t have what I need?

Maybe you want a specific book or resource. What can you do? Head to the front desk to chat with a librarian. This will vary from state to state, but in Ohio, for example, all of their libraries share one system. So, if you want to borrow The Hunger Games from the Dayton brand but they don’t have it, head on in and see if they can request it from another branch. Maybe the Cincinnati branch has it. If so, they can ship or deliver it to your local branch for you to use!

Otherwise, you can ask that the library buy the resources you need. Now, don’t go demanding anything, ask politely. Will they immediately buy it? Maybe! But also, maybe not. They may need to put their feelers out to see what the demand for that book/resource would be. If you’re the only one who is going to borrow some very abstract book just one time, it may not be in their best interest. But, if you’re requesting a popular book that you know others will read (perhaps a petition would help your case) they may be more willing. But, it doesn’t hurt to ask!

You can also put in requests digitally on apps like Hoopla and Libby if your library doesn’t stock that audio or e-book.

How to support your library?

First, get a library card!

If you haven’t yet, take this as your sign. It’s so easy! Well, some states are easier than others. I’ve gotten library cards in four states and here is what I’ve learned:

Nevada: you do not have to be a legal resident (we were legal Ohio residents at the time) but you do have to prove that you live and/or work in the state. We just provided a rental agreement.
Washington: you do not have to be a legal resident (we were legal Ohio residents at the time) but you do have to prove that you live and/or work in the state. We provided them with our place of work.
Ohio: you DO have to be a legal resident. Dan and I both lived and worked in Ohio in winter 2024 and were both born and raised in this state. But we had just switched our residency to Washington. So, we could not get a library card in Ohio this time around.
California: you do not have to be a legal resident (we were legal Ohio residents at the time) but you do have to prove that you live and/or work in the state. They didn’t even ask for any legal documents here! This makes me think that CA would offer a library card to homeless people as well unlike other states.
DOD: active duty military, you can get a library card! This allows you to use the base library and it also connects to apps like Libby. Unfortunately, mine no longer works as a veteran, but if you’re Active Duty, head to your base library with your CAC and get signed up, it’s that easy!
Queer Liberation Library: this library requires NO place of residence. It’s a totally free online library card you can use to get free audiobooks and e-books through apps like Libby. This is great if you move a lot, your local library is not the best, or you do not have a home.

All that to say, check your requirements and be sure you bring any documents they may need. But, if you have them handy, it’s very easy!

Second, USE your library card!

How does this help? It not only shows the library that there is a demand for its use but it shows lawmakers in your area that the library should stay funded. Libraries are funded through tax dollars. So, the more use they get, the more money (in theory) they should receive to keep them open, to run more programs, and to buy more materials.

You don’t have to use it daily or weekly, but make an intentional effort to check something out once a month or so. Take your children to programs, go study there one day instead of studying at home, try borrowing a movie for movie night instead of supporting Netflix or Amazon. As we already covered, there are so many unique ways to utilize a library that do not include physical books.

Next, volunteer!

Yes, it’s possible to volunteer at a library and it’s likely very needed. I suggest heading in and letting them know of your interests and skills. Maybe you’re really good at sorting and can help put books back on the shelves. Maybe you’re more of a people person and can help the front desk or with tutoring or host a kid’s program. Take your skills and use them to benefit your community in your own way!

Vote!

Pay attention to your ballots next time! Oftentimes library funding gets brought up in state or local legislation. We don’t just vote for people, we vote for taxes and laws, too. So, if you want to keep supporting your local library with your tax dollars, be sure to vote in that way the next time it’s on your ballot.

Respect your libraries

Lastly, please be kind to your libraries. Don’t go in and make a mess. Be gentle with your books: don’t dog-ear the pages, don’t take them to humid or dirty places like the beach, be mindful not to lose your books, and so forth. Will this neglect shut down a library? Likely, no. But, it does ensure that they don’t have to use extra funds for this neglect. It will allow them to spend their already limited funding in other, more impactful areas.

In a world that is so focused on buying this and buying that, libraries are a hidden gem. They require you to purchase nothing and they waste very little. It is the ultimate way to live zero waste on a budget and to boycott capitalism. Whether you live in poverty or you’re saving money or you just want a break from the advertising and hustle culture of capitalism, this is the place for you. Libraries are a refuge to those who rely on them and such an amazing benefit to those who may not NEED a library but just WANT to utilize them.

I will never stop shouting my praises for libraries. They are the only completely free system we have in the US. If we can provide free books for people, why stop there? Why not provide other free social services?

Anyway, I hope you now know how eco-friendly libraries are and just what hidden treasures they provide. I won’t ever stand for library slander and hope you all love libraries as much as I do. I love them so much and I rarely even visit them in person. I love audiobooks and I just love what libraries provide for society and for our neighbors. They should be protected at all costs!

Let us know the best thing you’ve gotten from a library below. For me, it has to be these photos! We found these frames brand new in the trash and I printed out these photos for FREE at my library in Japan. It made a free and eco gift for Dan for his birthday one year!

Happy reading, happy watching, and happy money saving. As always, remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run :)

Emma

The Environmental (and Economical) Benefits of Libraries