Libraries vs buying books

[Anonymous]

I have always been a regular user of our library. But recently I have been thinking about how I pay for all my other entertainment (movies, Netflix etc, tickets to shows) but get most of my books for free. I have been thinking about whether I should start to buy all the books I read. It is not a financial burden for me to do that. On the other hand, libraries need support. Thoughts? Am I overthinking this?

[Anonymous]

Why would you want to consume more in a world that’s already full of so much consumption?

[Anonymous]

Buy when you can't find it at the library or the waiting list is too long. Otherwise I'd suggest continuing with using the library, which I do too.

[Anonymous]

As long as you're reading, you're doing good. Libraries are great. You are helping authors when you take out their books because it shows demand for their work. You are also helping libraries justify their budgets.

[Anonymous]

For that matter, you can borrow movies from the library. Cancel those expensive movie habits.

[Anonymous]

For my little kids I just had to buy books. Our libraries in this area are pretty poor quality. The books my kids want are always out of stock. And then when we finally get the books we want, we only have 3 weeks to read them.

[Anonymous]

Well, I’m supporting all my other entertainment options with dollars. But authors aren’t really making money off of me. Talking about e-books or hard copy.

[Anonymous]

I buy books that I can’t get through the libraries that I have access to, then I donate the ones that I don’t intend to keep. When I lived in Baltimore, my neighborhood libraries very much appreciated my donations, and I’d often see them out on the library shelves.

[Anonymous]

I read a lot. Probably own ... maybe 12 books? I frequent two different libraries. One knows me by face. I've been doing this my entire adult life, and it's worked fine so far.

[Anonymous]

I support my library with all my overdue fines, and I get to keep the books (once I eventually find them). Win win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you want to consume more in a world that’s already full of so much consumption?

I think this criticism is more valid for things like constantly renovating your kitchen or buying your kid every single toy they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I support my library with all my overdue fines, and I get to keep the books (once I eventually find them). Win win.

My city doesn't do fines anymore.

[Anonymous]

First, I’ve only ever heard authors expose love for libraries, so I wouldn’t worry about not supporting them by using libraries. Libraries enable the author’s work to get read by more people than the book otherwise would, building a name for the author that may not only increase demand for a specific book, but future opportunities to write more books.

Second, I feel like libraries are like national parks - a pure good for society and one of the few things government really gets right. I think it’s awesome to support them. They offer so, so many community services and benefits beyond just books, and by utilizing them you help ensure their continued operation.

[Anonymous]

I pretty much only purchase eBooks now.

I used to buy physical books and then list them for sell on Amazon. However, now that so many people sell on Amazon, you can pretty much get any book used for as low as .01 + $3.99 shipping. There's not really a market for making money off of used books now.

I'm not a fan of my local library. I've been harassed by the homeless in there before and the librarians are too scared of them to say anything or police them.

[Anonymous]

I use libraries and also occasionally buy books. I also use the libraries online streaming services for movies and entertainment as well as checking out dvds.