NORTH CAROLINA -- With many things costing more these days, some people are looking for different ways to have fun and save money at the same time.

One place to turn is the library, where many of the activities are free and people both young and old can take advantage. High school student Michael Camenga already uses the library to help his budget.

"I enjoy visiting the library for various things I can go to… such as the virtual village where I can access the internet and do various things I want to for free rather than having to go to an internet café where I would have to pay for it,” he explained.

Those within the library system say as the cost for things like gas and groceries goes up, people are turning to the library for free fun. “It can't get any cheaper than free and the library is obviously a publicly funded service that's available for everyone,” said senior library assistant Mark Englebrecht.

"It's easily accessible. We have libraries just about in any neighborhood you like to go to. And also … people just have a love for their library,” added public information specialist Angela Hagler.

In addition to books, the library often offers music, movies, board games and classes on a number of topics. This is one of the busiest times of the year for many libraries, with all types of summer programs for children and adults.