Free Woodworking Books!

[dkerfoot]

Every once in a while, I remember that my public library has a pretty good selection of woodworking books.

Check your's out - you may be pleasantly surprised.

[ryanps]

You are exactly right. I often check out several of them at at time. As well they have just about every magazine. I live in Ohio which is (I believe) 8th in the nation in terms of library services. My, and everyone else's tax dollars at work.

I checked out the book "How to build a Strip Canoe" and built my canoe using it. Had to keep renewing it for over a year but eventually got the job done.

Ryan

[Mr__Bill]

Yup, and magazines too.

[poolhound]

I have some on my night stand right now. One is Foolproof Wood Finishing by Teri Masaschi, its very good. I think there is a new and updated version which I may well go and buy.

You can think of the library as a "try before you buy" store......

[Thalermade]

And don't forget about inter-library loans. If you can't find the book (or magazine article at your library, ask the librarian, it may be readily available at a nearby library and can be sent over.

For the folks in Ohio (or those with kids in Ohio colleges), check to see if you have access to OhioLiNK. "OhioLINK is a consortium of the libraries of 86 Ohio colleges and universities, and the State Library of Ohio." I haven't found anything other than books for woodworking, maybe someday the Digital Media Center will have some woodworking content.

Russ

[twistsol]

Doug, thanks for reminding us. Unfortunately our local public library is small and underfunded and most everything is old and out of date. We've been fighting for years to to get better funding and a better location and between the people who abhor any change and those that believe a library is a waste of time, it's an uphill battle.

If you still have a public library nearby, support it!

[pecker]

The 2nd floor of my local library is a senior center. They have a full woodworking shop up there, with old geezers puttering around. Besides their individual projects, they make stuff as a collective for various charitable causes.

I actually bought a used radial arm saw from them when they were getting replacement machines years ago.

I'll probably end up there some day...

[dkerfoot]

I live in Ohio which is (I believe) 8th in the nation in terms of library services.

Not to get into the a border war (much ) but the library in Holland, MI - Population 35,000 checks out more books each year than the entire San Diego Library system!

We have a regional intra-library system so that I can go online and have any book in West Michigan (includes Grand Rapids) delivered to my local branch.

[dkerfoot]

The 2nd floor of my local library is a senior center. They have a full woodworking shop up there.

Somehow I just can't get my mind around the thought of running a router inside a public library...

[ryanps]

Say Doug,
My family used to work the Holland Tulip Festival every year. We used to have a concession stand -- we sold Elephant Ears. Been many many years but I have always wanted to get back there for the festival. Thought we would make it this year but things didn't work out.
Ryan

[Mr__Bill]

Lets not forget that your local library is a great place for that magazine collection you don't want to keep on the shelf any longer. The books you have read and will likely never read again, even the repair manual for the car you don't have. If the library can't find a place on the shelves for it they will sell it in the next book fair and make some money.

Bill, on the Sunny Oregon Coast where it's raining...

[chopnhack]

Absolutely on intra library loans! Amen, they have saved me a bundle, esp on osbcure books that you just need once in a great while.

[footprintsinconc]

i am not much of a reader. the first time i went to the library, i ended up signing out 20 books on ww. well guess what, i didnt read any but did flip through some books. before i knew it, they were a week late and i ended up oweing a good amount of money.

here they do offer intra library (from one city to the other city) but they charge a fee for that. since i live in chandler, work in phoneix, i just simply stop at the any city library on my way back and pick up the thing that i put on reserve from online.

but man, to get the good ww books, i had to go to our downtown phoenix library, its about an hour away, but they had a ton of books!

[dkerfoot]

Say Doug,
My family used to work the Holland Tulip Festival every year. We used to have a concession stand -- we sold Elephant Ears. Been many many years but I have always wanted to get back there for the festival. Thought we would make it this year but things didn't work out.
Ryan

Hey Ryan,

Small world. I moved here about 10 years ago. I used to avoid Tulip Time entirely. I always figured people in Florida must wonder where all the old people disappear to in early May each year...

Then I discovered the wonder that is the junk food wagons. I was strictly an Elephant Ear guy for a few years, but last year I discovered Fat Balls - gotta love truth in advertising! I am looking forward to another binge...

Coincidently, my wife is probably about in your back yard right now on her way down to Dayton. She is the General Manager of the Air Show there.