The library, your new best friend
June 6, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
by Lisa Farrar Wellman
Freelancing can be a lonely job sometimes. I spend a good deal of time in
front of the computer, void of face-to-face human contact. I’ve found a way
to escape the monotony of my home office and at the same time, further my
career. I go to the library.
The library can be a freelance writer’s best friend and secret weapon. I
find myself in my public library on a regular basis for a variety of
reasons. Granted, my master’s degree is in library science and I’ve just
recently taken a hiatus from a 15-year library career but it’s more than
that. I find inspiration among the books and the library is a phenomenal,
endless source of information just waiting to be tapped. Consider these
services:
· Online periodical databases for easy, free research
· Multiple copies of subject specific dictionaries, quotation books, writing
how-tos
· Classes including creative writing and journaling workshops (often given
for free!)
· Local job postings
· Community Information Centers (more on this below)
· Reference librarians who provide excellent answers and sources for
information
· New businesses file (more on this below)
· Access to new technology
· Access to back issues of magazines so you’ll know how to write for a
specific publication without forking out the cash to buy past issues
yourself
· Interlibrary Loan services that bring library collections around the globe
right to you
Many of these services are self-explanatory but I want to delve further into
two of them. Our library offers a Community Information Center, which lists
by subject and also by name various service-providers in our local area. My
name is listed as a freelance writer. When patrons come to the reference
desk needing someone to type a resume, make a poster or edit their flyer,
the librarian looks through the CIC file and gives them my name. This simple
listing has led to lots of little jobs and one or two bigger ones, too,
including a yearlong stint for a newspaper. Plus it’s a great way to get my
name associated with writing.
The other treasure I want to highlight is the new businesses file. I’m sure
your library offers something similar. Check in once a month to find out
what new businesses have opened in your area. Some of those companies could
turn into clients for you! Think about restaurants that need menus and
signage or a new photographer that needs flyers or advertisement design.
Everyone can use a well-written press release or help with a customer
newsletter.
The library is more than a collection of dusty books. It offers a diversion
in the latest bestseller as well as a valuable resource for your next
writing gig. Go find your library card and head out the door!
Lisa Farrar Wellman is a freelance writer and a great, big library nerd who
blogs for Dialogue (www.beginthedialogue.com).
Deb’s note: My dad was a librarian so you know I’m big on the library. I go there every week to work, take out weekend movies and red.
The Community Information Center is a great idea. I wonder if our local library has one. If not, I may just have to suggest it.
Thank you so much for this post. I have been really feeling cut off from human contact, so this post came right on time!
Thank you!
I’ve never posted a comment before, but I love this site. As a freelance editor and full-time children’s librarian, I can only second all that Lisa has said. I frequently nudge my friends to the library, whatever their research topic.
Some people hold onto the stereotypes of shushing old spinsters, but most of the other librarians I work with are very friendly and cool. I may be a 30-something spinster, but I am also a great information resource!
As a former library cataloguer I can tell you that if you want the library to purchase a book for their collection all you have to do is ask. Patron input is very important.
And there is so much they can do for you without even going in. Just get a card.
Downloadable audiobooks are available and some even have downloadable movies.
Most library’s have a an online ask a librarian research service. Let them help you when you reach a deadend in research. Recently they helped me find an obit I needed for research.
Not only do they have periodical databases but many have access to other types of research data bases all online.
At my blog Simply Thrifty I’m always talking about the joys of the library. I’m there once a week for books and movies, plus I bring my son to pick books – and he is in the art, book and science clubs there. Also, in the evenings there are discussion groups for all ages, family movie showings every weekend, exercise classes and my library even gives blogging lessons!!
My father was a librarian but even if he didn’t encourage us to use the library often, I would. To me, heaven is being given an hour alone in the library to browse without someone tugging and asking me if it’s time to go.
I think it all depends on where you are. My local library is pathetic. Lack of funding from the state means that they do not keep current with the selections they have. They also have only two computers that hook up only to the Internet, so they don’t offer anything I can’t get at home.
There is a library 40 miles away that is excellent, but it’s downtown and parking is nightmarish and costly, so I don’t bother going there.
In the end, it makes me wish that I was nearer large cities with much better resources.
@Ann – I’m so sad when town’s don’t receive the necessary funding for libraries. They’re so important. We pay very high property taxes in my neighborhood and fortunately much of that goes to the school and library.
I remember the small town in South Jersey where I lived during my teen years – my father was the library director and brought in many books and programs. The person who took over the job from him decided the library didn’t do enough to bring in young people so he got ride of most of the books an brought in pool and foosball tables. A serious WTF? moment. Fortunately after he left they were able to rebuild, but really.
One of the best things about living in NYC was the libraries. My library in Elmhurst Queens was amazing and as a little girl and a grown woman I spent a lot of time there. The main library in Manhattan is somewhere I can spend a lot of time too.
Libraries rock. As you can see, it’s a subject near and dear to my heart.
Thanks for reading my post, guys! I thought it was all done but then after reading your comments, you reminded me of tons of other library services I left out. Libraries are just fabulous!
Ann G, you might want to check on that great library 40 miles away. See if for an extra fee, they’ll mail you books/research materials or if by having their card you can use their online databases, MP3s, etc. Some of our bigger libraries in our area will just drop books in the mail to us. It’s nice.
And btw, Mandy, I totally hear you. I’m only 31! I started working in a little, itty bitty library in my little, itty bitty home town when I was 15.
Librarians get a bum rap but we’re working on that. 
My library is my home away from home. And that purchase request feature? Just like Amazon.com only slightly slower and MUCH less expensive.
Off-topic: Library spinsters of all ages should check out Josephine Carr’s “The Dewey Decimal System of Love.”
@Jamie – My father had our home bookshelves organized by Dewey Decimal System.
Ok – back to cleaning. Have a nice day all.
I have been rediscovering how wonderful the library is. Great idea about Community Information Center too!:)
@Lisa, great post. As a teacher’s daughter, former small town librarian, and a graduate student I am a big fan of libraries. I think it’s important to remind people that libraries and not a thing of the past, but continue to grow and evolve. Nice freelancing tips as well.
@Ann G., I’d encourage you to find others in your community who would welcome a more robust library and start a friends of the library group. You’d be amazed at what a few concerned citizens can accomplish.
I agree. I would love to go to the library but it’s 95 degrees here in NYC and frankly, the library’s air-conditioning is not up to par! Plus, I like to type while watching TV in my pajamas with a sandwich, and the library isn’t conducive to that!
@Andrea – I’m in Vermont and yesterday was unbearable. We put in our air conditioners and were so glad we did because by 4pm, our thermometers were showing 102 in the sun and 92 in the shade. Today’s supposed to be no better! I love how we go straight into summer. It was 50 on Monday and rained all week with temps barely climbing into the upper 60s and then suddenly the one sunny day we have 100 degree temps are thrown at us.