on Jane Friedman site:

One of the best pieces of advice for writers is to read as widely as possible, especially in your genre. For centuries, public libraries have made that goal for writers not just possible, but affordable.

Beyond books, most public libraries offer additional services incredibly helpful to writers. Getting familiar with online and in-person library resources, free with your library card, can take your writing and research skills to the next level. Most large public library systems offer the following services. Even if you live in a small town or rural library with limited resources, you still may be able to take advantage of offerings from nearby large systems that participate in regional consortiums.