YAY!!! (Kindle-related)

In the Spring, Amazon announced that the Kindle would be eligible for e-book checkout with libraries by the end of the year (it was near my birthday because I had decided I wanted a Nook to have the access for ebook checkout.  This was announced and H got me a Kindle for my bday).  Guess what?  Today is the day!

According to Amazon's site all you need to do is:
• Visit the website of a U.S. library that offers digital services from OverDrive.
• Check out a Kindle book (using a valid library card).
• Click on "Get for Kindle" and then sign in to your Amazon.com account to have the book delivered to your Kindle device or reading app.
I've read that it will be similar to "real" library books; in that there are only so many copies of each e-book available at a time.  But still, free books, on your Kindle?! What could be better!

Besides lending ebooks, I should also put in a general shout-out to libraries.  Old school you're thinking right?

CPL (Chicago Public Library) has a huge network of, I'd guess, close to 100+ libraries and H and I are awesome about utilizing it (tooting our own horn).  On their website you can request items from other libraries and although it can sometimes take a few weeks to get the items, we've requested everything from books, DVDs and CDs.  New Lady Gaga CD? Free via library :O)  We're constantly getting in movies from them to keep us occupied as well.  Yea, redbox is a dollar, but overtime (and for how many movies we watch) a dollar adds up!

Another awesome feature of CPL is that they have museum/zoo/park passes you can check out.  These are harder to come by, as you can't request them ahead of time, but they're well worth it.  They allow up to four people to get into a museum, etc. for free (I believe it's two adults and two kids).  H and I have visited Brookfield Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Science and Industry Museum, and Field Museum with this passes.  Given that each visit, on average, costs $30+ for two adults, they're a decent cost saver! Especially considering it's free to get a library card in the first place.

 In fact, this weekend we have passes for both Brookfield Zoo and Field Museum (I'm really wanting to check out the 9/11 exhibit).  Depending on the weather, we'll probably only make it to one though.

Plus, CPL has some pretty sweet ads that always make me laugh: