If you want to save a few bucks or knock a whole bill off your monthly budget, check out your local library.
Libraries are not just for books anymore. Most are multimedia meccas, with music and movies to check out, free children's programs, arts and crafts workshops, movie screenings, computer classes and, of course, free Internet access.
"We have seen people who, especially if they are unemployed, have dropped their Internet service because they can't afford it anymore," said Laura Mitchell, city librarian of Escondido. "Those people are here doing job searches, applying for jobs and job benefits online at the library."
Escondido residents aren't the only ones who've caught on to the low-cost resources of local libraries.
The Carlsbad City Library saw a 5 percent increase in new borrowers over the last 12 months, said Jessica Padilla Bowen, community coordinator for the library. Reference questions are up 15 percent from a year ago, she said.
"Because there is so much information out there, the library can really help direct people to the most valuable resources," Padilla Bowen said.
One of the most popular programs offered by the San Diego County library system has been the "home clinic" for people facing foreclosure, said principal county librarian Nancy Saint John.
"We take over the whole library, there are counselors at every table, and it's anonymous and free," Saint John said. "It's a one stop shop."
The San Marcos branch is hosting a home clinic this summer, she said.
Though libraries have responded to the tough economic times with more financial strategy classes and job-search programs, librarians pointed out that they aren't all work and no play.
This month, the Carlsbad library is wrapping up it's series of movies by director Baz Luhrmann, including "Australia" and "Moulin Rouge." Beginning in June, the library starts its "page-to-screen" series of movies that have been adapted from books.
Regular features at the Escondido library include a kid's chess club, a children's story time and the bilingual book club.
And the county library's "Food for Thought" program for seniors includes a gentle yoga class, a boxed lunch and a social hour -- all for free.
Want to know exactly how much a trip to the local library can save you? Visit the Escondido Public Library's Web site, where the Library Value Calculator will do the math for you.
Some libraries, including those in the county system, have found another way to save patrons money-- fine forgiveness programs such as "Fine Free Fridays."
"Families today are looking for ways to educated and entertain their children and themselves for little money," Mitchell said.
For more information:
San Diego County
http://www.sdcl.org/locations_ALL-BRANCHES.html
858-694-2415
Carlsbad
http://www.carlsbadca.gov/library/
760-602-2049
Escondido
http://www.library.escondido.org/
760-839-4684
Oceanside
http://www.library.ci.oceanside.ca.us/
760-435-5630
Contact staff writer Colleen Mensching at (760) 739-6675.
