Did you know that being a member of Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries could save you money on everyday expenses? With the cost-of-living crisis expected to bite this winter, we’ve brought together a simple guide on how you can make easy savings simply by tapping into the membership you already have!
Here are five ways you can save money today:
Library membership provides you with online access to a vast selection of digital newspapers and magazines via PressReader. You can catch up with your favourite newspaper daily, including local papers The Courier and the Perthshire Advertiser, entirely for free. Accessible via your laptop, iPad or mobile, newspapers can also be downloaded for reading at a time that suits you. This service could save members around £400 every year!
As well as free newspaper access, library membership can provide you with a vast selection of magazines to choose from and enjoy, from glossy magazines to movie magazines, there are choices for all needs and wants. These are available via PressReader, or the Libby app which contains over 190 popular magazines chosen by Culture Perth and Kinross librarians. This service could save magazine lovers around £300 a year.
As well as thousands of physical books which can be found on the shelves of libraries in Perth and Kinross, we also offer an extensive collection of e-books which can be borrowed and enjoyed virtually. Library members also have access to all the latest book releases, which can be read via the electronic device of your choosing. To give you an idea of the variety on offer, Culture Perth and Kinross librarians have recently added over 350 new titles and 73 audiobooks to choose from. Avoid the clutter of ordering too many books from Amazon, and save on the cost, by either borrowing a physical book from the library or choosing from our vast e-book catalogue online.
In the world of hybrid working, sometimes it’s nice to have a change of scene from being stuck in the office or surrounded by domesticity at home. After all, it’s supposed to encourage creativity! Several of the libraries offer free, spacious studying or working hot desks with access to free wi-fi. The flagship AK Bell Library’s second floor is almost entirely devoted to this, and with hot beverages available, it offers a perfect, free, working environment. Additionally, every library offers wireless printing so even if you are working from home, you can send your documents to print at the library at a convenient time – no need to replace expensive ink or battle with paper jams at home when such an easy convenient and low-cost alternative is available in your local library.
Members have access to the library computers on which you can send and receive email, prepare a presentation, create spreadsheets and databases, and print. All Culture Perth & Kinross Libraries have at least one computer with a flatbed document scanner for customer use.