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Patty Kennedy - Sunshine hall free Library Director
Posted 10/12/20

When you're buying something, who do you rely on for product reviews? How do you find exactly what you need at the right price? Do you ask your friends on social media? Do you read the product …

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When you're buying something, who do you rely on for product reviews? How do you find exactly what you need at the right price? Do you ask your friends on social media? Do you read the product reviews on shopping websites?

If so, how do you know if you can really trust Annie from Albuquerque or Bob from Boise? (How do you know it actually IS Annie or Bob making the post?). Although shopper's reviews and friends' advice is a great place to start, the best way to make sure you are getting the very best deal is to visit ConsumerReports.org, the website of Consumer Reports.

You may be familiar with Consumer Reports Magazine, but Consumer Reports is so much more. Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization dedicated to unbiased product testing, investigative journalism, consumer-oriented research, public education, and consumer advocacy. CR played a role in the advent of seat belt laws, the exposure of the dangers of cigarettes and the increase of access to quality health care.

The results of all their product testing and research can be found on their website along with informative and interesting articles, product reviews and ratings and updates on product availability. The online data includes information that isn't available in the magazine. It's also easy to search for exactly the information you're looking for.

Why am I telling you all this in an article for the Library Director's Corner? Because only some of the information on ConsumerReports.org can be accessed for free. Most of the information is only available to paid members. A membership costs $10 per month. UNLESS you have a library card from any of the 50 libraries in the RCLS library system.

That's right, in addition to everything else you can get with a library card (books, DVDs, magazines, music CDs, e-books, streaming video, museum passes, on-line classes, and so much more) you also get FREE membership to ConsumerReports.org.

Don't have a library card?? (Shame on you). Go get one. It's free! Then visit your library's website, and take advantage of everything that ConsumerReports.org has to offer. You'll be supporting two important non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of your life!

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