You pay for libraries, use them.

Today's tip is go visit your local library and when you travel go visit that library too.

A California senior says beware of AARP. A senior from Iran wrote to me that the milk from two goats is beneficial to slow the aging process. True. He is a tennis buddy of mine and has dual citizenship with Iran and USA. He also provides security for Obama when Obama comes to Palm Springs to play golf. A Massachusetts senior writes that he likes the senior tips but is annoyed by the pictures of me. Today no picture of me. yesterday 72 people visited my senior blog page so I have a ways to go to get 100,000 visitors.

When I meet a senior, one of the questions I ask is have you been to your local library lately? Typically, the answer is I have not been to the library since college. And that was my answer too up until a few years ago.

My wife and I spend the winters in Rancho Mirage, California, which is located approximately 10 miles East of Palm Springs. I had occasion to go to the library to use their computer facilities. It opened my eyes and I was hooked in a few hours. First, as you know there are a lot of books in the library. But there are also DVD rentals, every magazine that is published, newspapers and what really sold me on the library was the extent of the free seminars offered almost daily on a variety of fascinating subjects hosted by experienced and super-knowledgeable other seniors. Libraries have email lists that you can subscribe too and receive the latest information on seminars, music presentations and more.

When I arrived back in Kansas City, I visited our local library and discovered that you can reserve rooms in your library for small conferences with friends and large rooms for groups of more than 100 people. It is all free, You can give your own seminar if your like and  you can reserve a room to meet with your friends. I use these rooms to interview people for research for my books. It takes the place of a private office. 

If you have some uses for your library that would be of interest to other seniors, please let me know. If you have not been to the library since your college days, go there now and explore the resources that local libraries have to offer. 

One more thing. I found that libraries have comfortable chairs next to the magazine sections that are marvelous for an afternoon nap.