By Elissa Andre

Rising prices make finding ways to stretch our money a priority – especially as the holidays approach!

Whether you’re planning for an important purchase, wanting to try something new or just looking for ways to cut costs, pull out a Johnson County Library card instead of a credit card and make visiting a library branch your first stop.

• The average new book is more than $16. So, if you read just one book per month, checking them out at the library instead will save you nearly $200 a year. In 2022, Johnson County Library saved local readers over $51 million in checkouts alone! You can also find great deals on gently used books at the Friends of Johnson County Library’s weekend book sales.
• Download the Libby app and cut out your $15 monthly audiobook subscription cost. That’s $180 per year saved on top of access to unlimited titles anywhere, anytime.
• Like to read the New York Times, Wall Street Journal or maybe just the local news? Skip the $100+ annual subscription fees and access all without a paywall through our eLibrary. Print editions of popular newspapers and magazines are available to read at our 14 Johnson County Library locations.
• We offer thousands of DVDs to browse and check out, ranging from new releases to classic film and television favorites. If streaming is more your style, cut out those monthly subscription fees with our free streaming platforms like Kanopy.
• Just in time for holiday gift-shopping or Black Friday deals, get the best bang for your buck with Consumer Reports. Normally a $59 annual subscription, visit a branch or log-in online for free access to more than 9,000 unbiased product reviews plus recommendations on services like banking, insurance and travel.
• Johnson County Library is also one of the last places you can spend time with no expectation to buy anything. Spend an afternoon out of the house at a curated art exhibit, entertain grandkids when it’s too cold to play outside, or attend free programs and workshops on topics like financial planning, genealogy, community engagement, and arts and culture. Don’t miss our annual Writer’s Conference from Nov. 2-4!

Visit any of our library branches, call us at 913-826-4600 or go to jocolibrary.org to explore how the Johnson County Library can help you save money and improve your quality of life.

Elissa Andre is external communication manager at Johnson County Library.