Reading library books

[[deleted user]]

Anyone here basically only check out library books (as opposed to buying books). I want to switchover, but I can't seem to do it. I was wondering what some of you might have done to make the switch. I am addicted to buying books, but I can get literally almost every book I could want either physically or digitally from the local library system so there is no real reason to do it. Thoughts appreciated!

[Tracey the Lizard Queen]

I use the library a lot because its free! I couldn't afford to buy all the books I want to read, its just too expensive. Also I'm running out of space, my bookshelf at home is overflowing. Our local library has a pretty decent selection of fantasy books and anything they don't have I can usually order. I also volunteer at another library in a nearby town so I'm already there. Might as well get some books while I'm there.

[Margret]

I use the library almost exclusively. Try to think of how much money you are saving and it helps. If you say read 50 books a year it would cost me at least $750 a year to maintain my habit. Not to mention all the other awesome things they have available there like overdrive audiobook mp3's.. Audiobooks are often even more expensive than print books!

[Sam]

I read a lot of library books often checking their catalogue before buying, I can't afford not to. However if it is very popular I will have to wait a while before it my turn (depends if I'm in a hurry). If they don't have it I buy it mostly on kindle as I can't store all the books I want and you get it almost instantly! My library often doesn't have the book club reads, but they nearly always have best sellers.

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

The library system is a bit more difficult in my area. Free in my state, but quite a drive. I live nearer to other state's libraries, but would have to pay to be a member.

It just kills me that I pay taxes in that other state, because I work there and I can't get a free library pass.

[Margret]

I have the same problem where I'm now part of a county instead of the city, so even though I live 10 min from the city library I have to pay $30 a year as non resident. I still think the amount I save is so worth it

[Jenna]

I used to go to the library, but stopped going because of bugs. At one library, a spider came out of my book, and at another library (in a different municipality), I saw a bunch of bed bugs in the corner. After that, I bought books, downloaded books and borrowed from (clean) friends. I know this is not a normal occurrence, but it did happen to me twice and I'm reluctant to go back.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

That would put me off too. I can't buy second hand as I always ended up with books from heavy smokers.

[Lára]

I'm completely a book buying addict. I haven't used public library in more than a year (if not more). I use university library a lot, because they have books I can't find in bookstores and I don't use online shop.

I buy at least a book per month (usually 3+), and I loan 6 in two weeks. Some are for studying but some are because I want to read them.

[Jenna]

Lára wrote: "I'm completely a book buying addict. I haven't used public library in more than a year (if not more). I use university library a lot, because they have books I can't find in bookstores and I don't ..."

Yeah, the university library is one library I use as well - much better than the public library.

[Lynda]

I really picked up my reading pace last year, so for purely financial reasons I started using the library, about 95% of the time. The only time I buy now is if it's something I really want, but don't want to wait because it's a new release, or if it's a graphic novel series I expect I'll read multiple times.

Two things helped me flip the switch though. First, the ability to download ebooks to my Nook from the web - no trip to the library for me, even though it's 1/4 of a mile down the road (I live in a small town). Second, is the Overdrive app, which lets me listen to audio books on my phone.

Once in a blue moon I will borrow an actual book book - but I do get most of the graphic novels I read through the library system here, which is extensive and fast.

[Michael]

When I was younger, I was a voracious library reader and checked out books by the arm full. Nowadays, though, I buy almost all the books I read. Part of that is that a lot of my nonfiction reading is in rather specialized or advanced books. In any case, I don't find it any real financial hardship these days to buy books faster than I can read them, so for now the buying will continue. ;-)

[Kevin]

I feel like many people especially Gen Xers never or rarely used or go to the library. It feel like they don't ever know where it is where they live. It might be that for some of them, they don't like the due date deciding for them when to read a book. Plus some of them hate used book touch by many people so they exclusively buy new books.

[Kevin]

I personally used the library a lot. Its where I buy most of mine books. It helps that I use 4 other libraries in my library system other than my local library. I also started borrow a lot of those books from them since I found those other 4 libraries in the past year.

[Lynda]

Not sure I agree about the Gen X thing; as I'm firmly rooted in that generation, and many of my friends visit the libraries, and a few of them are pretty non-e-reader-readers. Also, vintage and used is very much a value of my generation, so I don't know anyone who would have a problem touching a book held by others.

I think library usage does have to be convenient, and now that 90% of what I want to read is downloadable, that makes it easier. In the past it's been a lot easier just hit up Amazon than the library, since it comes to the door.

[Angela]

I use the library a lot. My usage increased once I had children and they love the library as well. It was cost too much to read all the books my family does within a year, so makes more sense to use the library.

I buy some books, but usually they are a continuation of the series I already own or an author I love so much I have to have their book. Plus I'm more inclined to buy a book ebook or paperback if it's a new release rather than wait. If it's an older book 9 times out of 10 I'll get it from the library.

I'm a Gen X and I love the library. A lot of my friends use the library as well.

I am fortunate though that I live in a city, so well I have my local library I visit, I have access to all the books across the city library system. It's so easy to reserve a book online and then just pick it up from my local library when it arrives there.

[L.G.]

I'll borrow something if I'm confident I'll only read it once, or if I'm not sure I'll enjoy it. That said, the libraries in my area are pretty good, which does help a lot.

[Kevin]

Lynda wrote: "Not sure I agree about the Gen X thing; as I'm firmly rooted in that generation, and many of my friends visit the libraries, and a few of them are pretty non-e-reader-readers. Also, vintage and use..."

Sorry, I meant Generation Y.

Generation X, I find to the best, and most balanced. They love both new and vintage books. They also both use the library and buy new books equally is what I have found.

[Mary]

I use the library a lot and also buy a lot. I prefer the library to check out something that I might or might not like; it's obviously easier that way. Hit-or-miss authors, for instance.

I may buy something after the library copy.

I note you do want to keep serious track of due dates.

[Lára]

I just managed to get 978-0-00-752193-7, River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay in my university library. He is on 5th floor and I rarely visit that one. My uni library is about 5 floors and the 4th floor is the one I can be found at: it has Asian section and that´s my course, or 2nd floor: philosophy.

Sometimes, when I want to read a fantasy book, I go to the 5th floor and almost always find a book we´re reading here. German is on the same floor so some fantasy books I find in German and that´s ok.

I usually buy books but I adore my university library. It has just about anything. I´d love to stay a student simply because of the library we own. It has everything.

[Jenna]

Lára wrote: "I just managed to get 978-0-00-752193-7, River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay in my university library. He is on 5th floor and I rarely visit that one. My uni library is about 5 floors and the 4th flo..."

I'm jealous that your university has a whole fantasy section. Out of the five libraries on my campus, there is a small section on one floor for "popular books" which includes all genres. You'd think that with five libraries that there would be some decent selection! Nope.

[stormhawk]

My local library is in a marginal neighborhood and is a hangout for homeless mentally ill people. And before someone starts telling me they are people first ... I know that. I work with them. They are my patients. I have a personal rule about not letting my worlds collide like that! Work following me home would be quite bad. Luckily the Library has an electronic lending system, so I only really have to go once every couple years to renew my card.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Mine has electronic but I haven't investigated it yet. Not sure how easy it is with a kindle. The last book I borrowed had the tiniest print and I automatically went to adjust it!!

[Michael]

When I was younger and poorer I made extensive use of the library in my reading (supplemented by my monthly purchase of Analog magazine). I gradually drifted away from the library into purchasing more and more of my reading material until now I'm just about 100% purchase. This has resulted in an extensive library that I've had to cull even time I move. I do purchase at least half my books electronically although I do still prefer paper books for history, science and photography.

[stormhawk]

Library lendng is super easy with kindle. you check out the book and click a link that takes you to amazon for the download.

and don't forget about your Kindle Owners Lending Library selection each month. And Kindle firsts. all free for kindle owners (not app users).

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Oh I didn't realise that it was so straight forward. That's going to be my weekend job :)

[Lára]

I´ve read so many library books this year. All of them from my university library and 90% of them asian. I actually know asian section by heart, I´ve spent so much time just browsing through, memorizing and have read a great deal of them too :)

I´ll be missing the library now that I´m not a student anymore.

[Shadowdenizen]

Another Gen X here. I'm a mix of library, digital & physical. For ongoing series I'm reading, it's mostly physical. For digital, it's the daily deals (thru Amazon, Bookbub, etc.). And it's the library for specialized/OOP books. (Though I do mix and match as needed!)

[Kevin]

I use the library a lot but I enjoy going to used book sales and used book stores to purchase as well. Its not often that I buy new books anymore, but I will make exceptions for favorite authors.

[Tnkw01]

The local library in my area uses One Click Digital and Overdrive. They both are excellent sources for audiobooks and digital books. I would recommend that everyone's local public library should look into using these sources.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

It's funny as I'd exhausted my libraries fantasy audio books (Harry Potter!) on overdrive, then as I was discussing this with a colleague she said that she wasn't using overdrive and we discovered the library has two apps! So One Click Digital has a few fantasy that I'm now listening to.

[Tnkw01]

Helen wrote: "It's funny as I'd exhausted my libraries fantasy audio books (Harry Potter!) on overdrive, then as I was discussing this with a colleague she said that she wasn't using overdrive and we discovered ..."

I know both apps have a lot of fantasy. Maybe you could encourage them to submit to more.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

They have a really pathetic amount listed:
Potter, Darren Shan, kid stuff. Although you could argue that all kids.

The other has the two Sanderson and a Pierce Brown, then a few I don't know.

[Tnkw01]

Helen wrote: "They have a really pathetic amount listed:
Potter, Darren Shan, kid stuff. Although you could argue that all kids.

The other has the two Sanderson and a Pierce Brown, then a few I don't know."

I'm sorry :(. Maybe, perhaps you could request more? I know our library let's us make requests.