WAIT, DID YOU SAY FREE? Yeah, there are still some freebies left in this world – and there are plenty of 'em, available with the swipe of a (no-charge) card, at the public library.

In planning for this year’s “On The Money” guide in Volume One, the wallet-pinching most folks are enduring right now couldn’t be ignored. I thought about drumming up a “cheap eats” roundup in the area (reality check: it’s tough for restaurants and food servicers too right now, and most meals are over $10 a pop right now) or a “cheap things to do” list.

But what’s better than free? Not much, I’d bet. And the best place to go for free quality goods? The original data center, of course: the public library.

At Eau Claire's L.E. Phillips Public Library, friendly staff can get you set up with a (free) membership card which unlocks the ability to rent books and way, way more.

If you have a few minutes, peruse the “Library of Things” webpage online to see more of the library’s non-book options. If you don’t, and are already reading this, here’s a few stand-outs:

• GoPro Camera
• Tent Kit (plus camping accessories kits)
• Canning Kit
• Kubb, Giant Jenga and other outdoor games kits
• Sewing Kit

Plus, there’s an abundance of on-site services offered at the downtown Eau Claire library, for free – in addition to use of their computers and internet – like 3D printing (yes, really!), regular events such as its free legal clinics and more.

There's a ton of other free-to-rent goods that could also fall under that ‘cheap things to do’ category I mentioned earlier. 

Have an awesome at-home movie night by renting the library's WiFi bluetooth projector and casting your flick of choice on a blank wall; get a taste of the gamer life without the price-tag by checking out the PlayStation Classic, PlayStation 4 or Nintendo Switch consoles; get up to your elbows in crafting projects at the library's slept-on Dabble Box Makerspace. 

If none of that floats your boat, there's always $5 Tuesdays at Micon Cinemas or Sounds Like Summer live music on Thursdays during the summer. (But still, five bucks isn't free, and the point of this writeup was to talk free stuff.)

Peruse the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library's website to see all the things available in the "Library of Things" or grab-bag sections (www.ecpubliclibrary.info/dabble/).