Do you use The Library for Books,- or,- Buy them ?!
Question: Jo
Answers: Jo
I used to buy, but I was spending so much money. Also I would buy a lot of books at one time and then never get around to reading them... and then years later I'd be like "why did I ever buy this book?" because I wasn't interested in the topic anymore.
I think the book buying habit came from growing up in a small town with a really small, crappy library. The thing was like the size of a closet. Now I live in a larger metropolitan area with larger libraries. If my city doesn't have it, the one I work in probably does. And if neither of them have it, there is the beauty that is Inter-Library Loan, where they can get ANY book from another library for you. Even from across the country.
If I really like a book and I think I'll read it again in the future, or I want it around for reference, I'll buy it at a used bookstore or used through Amazon. But for the most part, as I've gotten older (I'm 25), I'm becoming more minimalist and don't like the clutter of having hundreds or books around, especially ones I'll never read again. Also, our house is really small so I don't have the space anyway.
I also found that I read more books when I get them from the library, because I have that deadline to finish them. If I start reading a book that I own, it takes me FOREVER because I'll set it aside and forget about it. Case in point, I stopped buying all my books and started using the library in early 2007, and look at the stats:
Books read in 2006: 36
Books read in 2007: 71 (and I'm about halfway through two more at the moment)
Both
Both! The library for most books (especially for the kids) and I buy special books for my kids to add to their collections.
The Library. Our tax dollars pays for the service. But you have to respect it also, or be fined.
If I want books for myself, I usually buy them from amazon.co.uk. Our public library is closed for refurbishment right now....and I have not borrowed from there for quite a while, in any case.
In case you were wondering, the library where I work is not a public library - and it is very specialised - I doubt I would be too interested in many of the books there!
To save - use the library (for classics)
if I like them, I buy them so I have it on my shelf whenever I want to look back...
if it's not in the library then of course, I get a copy for my self. :)
I buy most of the books i read.
Our library is not very big,i read all of their western books.
I want a Kindle, as soon as they start selling them here.
buy them
it depends
Library only--I used to be on our local Library Board of Directors
Buy them, it`s cheaper than not returning one.
I usually buy them. =)
i buy them. Barnes and Noble is my second home