Data show that the size of a home library for adolescents contributes to “scholarly culture” and is related to cognitive skills. Besides that, it’s nice to have a selection of books to choose from to read to your kids (or to have them sit down and read when you need a minute of quiet!). Trips to the bookstore are fun, but can be expensive. Here are some additional cost-effective ways to grow your home library:
- Library book sales.
- Garage sales.
- For new babies, consider asking for books (perhaps with a note in them?) in place of cards. A mentor of mine did this for her baby shower!
- Give them to or ask for them for your kids (and the grown-ups!) as birthday or holiday presents.
- Instead of cash from the tooth fairy, perhaps consider books? Seriously – the tooth fairy at our house always brought books with a little note inside and it was awesome.
- Libraries. True, you don’t own the books, but borrowing is a great way to keep a rotating stock in your house.
What other ideas do you have? Share in the comments!