Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 10:18     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I scan the books on order list on the online catalog and place holds on interesting books before they come out. That means I usually get them pretty soon after they are released. Library orders are also a significant part of a books market, so I believe that it helps the authors too, but that may just be something I saw on Instagram once.

Sometimes I have trouble finishing a book before it’s due. If I’m close to finishing it I will just power through and return it a little late. If I’m not, then I’ll put it back on hold. Sometimes I will buy a longer book.

I rarely browse adult shelves at the library. Mostly I operate by putting books I want to read on hold.

Libby does not let me put a hold on books before the library has it (overdrive allowed it, but not Libby). Have you run into this problem? I’m wondering if I’m going it wrong in Libby or if libraries have different rules.

One of my libraries allows it (not Fairfax, which is totally fair!). I just make a mental note to check on Thursdays around 4-5 PM for anything I know is coming out.

I always have a ton of books checked out, so waiting doesn't bother me at all.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 10:17     Subject: Library vs Buying
Sadly, buying. I used to love browsing libraries but now that they smell like pee and look like I could end up with bedbugs if I sit down - and library stacks have been pared down - I don’t enjoy libraries anymore. I don’t like e-readers so I end up buying. The good thing is that there are a lot of used or free books around.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 10:14     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I read between 200 and 300 books per year.

I have seven library cards in my Libby and I've cultivated enough clout on NetGalley to always get advanced copies of the books from my favorite imprints.

I buy books from a few authors who I really love, but other than that, I'm reading books I've borrowed.

If you live in the DC area, you can rack up a ton of library cards!


200-300! Is that really reading or listening ??


Oh for goodness sake, not this tired take again. There was a thread about how much people read and there were lots of different details shared by the voracious readers. Some don't watch tv. Some don't use much social media. Some read really fast. Some use multiple formats to read. Some are retired or have an empty nest and reading is their favorite hobby.

Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 07:30     Subject: Library vs Buying
Op here—I didn’t realize (or I guess I never thought about it) you could have multiple library cards to create more holds etc. Tgat may explain why my library hold/loan situation is not great! I am not a kindle/e-book person so the act of physically picking out a book that is of interest to me in that moment is part of what I enjoy about reading.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 19:13     Subject: Library vs Buying
I prefer paper books. I read about 70 books last year. I like to support my independent book store but it gets pricey. I borrow some books from book club members, buy some from thrift books or better books, buy some on Kindle if I travel and it makes it easier, and buy the rest from book stores if I don’t want to wait (say for a new book). Once in awhile, I get one from a little free library. And, finally, I almost always visit bookstores when I travel or buy at museums, etc. I find these last two are good places to find books I might not otherwise come across.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 19:01     Subject: Library vs Buying
I sometimes buy used books at the friends of the library store, but mostly I use the library for paper copies and for audiobooks via Libby. I subscribe to the library's email newsletters for various genres to learn about new releases, and I also look at Book Pages (available free from library) and Good Reads suggestions. I browse the new release shelves. I like series so I follow those authors to stay informed about their books coming out.

I put books on hold and read/listen when they become available. I can usually finish before they are due and if not I renew the loan if possible.



Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 17:30     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:I read between 200 and 300 books per year.

I have seven library cards in my Libby and I've cultivated enough clout on NetGalley to always get advanced copies of the books from my favorite imprints.

I buy books from a few authors who I really love, but other than that, I'm reading books I've borrowed.

If you live in the DC area, you can rack up a ton of library cards!

Do you really read an average of 5 books a week? Are you retired? That's almost a box every day.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 17:05     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I scan the books on order list on the online catalog and place holds on interesting books before they come out. That means I usually get them pretty soon after they are released. Library orders are also a significant part of a books market, so I believe that it helps the authors too, but that may just be something I saw on Instagram once.

Sometimes I have trouble finishing a book before it’s due. If I’m close to finishing it I will just power through and return it a little late. If I’m not, then I’ll put it back on hold. Sometimes I will buy a longer book.

I rarely browse adult shelves at the library. Mostly I operate by putting books I want to read on hold.

Libby does not let me put a hold on books before the library has it (overdrive allowed it, but not Libby). Have you run into this problem? I’m wondering if I’m going it wrong in Libby or if libraries have different rules.


I mostly read paper books, which I can place on hold on my online library catalog (non DMV).
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 17:01     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I use the library and read on my kindle. I read between 50-75 books a year. So just from a financial standpoint, it makes sense for me to borrow books rather than purchase them. If I bought 50 books a year, I would easily spend $5000 or more. I have multiple library cards which means I can keep up to 30 books on hold. A book is always coming available from my holds so I have no shortage of books to read. While it’s true there can be a long wait for a brand new book, I’m ok waiting a few months. If I really want to read a book right away or the library doesn’t offer a copy, I will purchase but that happens maybe once a year. I do want to support authors but the libraries are purchasing copies of the books and they purchase more copies when they see an increased demand.


How would it cost you $5000 to buy 50 books a year? That's $100 a book.


Oops! That’s a typo! I didn’t mean to add that extra zero. Thanks for catching it. $500. I was estimating $10 per book. Most are more but some are less
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 16:59     Subject: Re:Library vs Buying
I read on Libby and put books on hold. I can turn off the internet access to my kindle if I don't finish the book in time.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:07     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I scan the books on order list on the online catalog and place holds on interesting books before they come out. That means I usually get them pretty soon after they are released. Library orders are also a significant part of a books market, so I believe that it helps the authors too, but that may just be something I saw on Instagram once.

Sometimes I have trouble finishing a book before it’s due. If I’m close to finishing it I will just power through and return it a little late. If I’m not, then I’ll put it back on hold. Sometimes I will buy a longer book.

I rarely browse adult shelves at the library. Mostly I operate by putting books I want to read on hold.

Libby does not let me put a hold on books before the library has it (overdrive allowed it, but not Libby). Have you run into this problem? I’m wondering if I’m going it wrong in Libby or if libraries have different rules.



Are you using the deep search function and “notify me”? You should automatically be added to the list if your library acquires the book.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 13:08     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:I scan the books on order list on the online catalog and place holds on interesting books before they come out. That means I usually get them pretty soon after they are released. Library orders are also a significant part of a books market, so I believe that it helps the authors too, but that may just be something I saw on Instagram once.

Sometimes I have trouble finishing a book before it’s due. If I’m close to finishing it I will just power through and return it a little late. If I’m not, then I’ll put it back on hold. Sometimes I will buy a longer book.

I rarely browse adult shelves at the library. Mostly I operate by putting books I want to read on hold.

Libby does not let me put a hold on books before the library has it (overdrive allowed it, but not Libby). Have you run into this problem? I’m wondering if I’m going it wrong in Libby or if libraries have different rules.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 13:01     Subject: Library vs Buying
I read 70 books last year and only had to buy one, and it's because I started it on Kindle (only available through the libby), and then my daughter accidentally returned it. There was a long waitlist and I was halfway through so I bought it.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 12:32     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I use the library and read on my kindle. I read between 50-75 books a year. So just from a financial standpoint, it makes sense for me to borrow books rather than purchase them. If I bought 50 books a year, I would easily spend $5000 or more. I have multiple library cards which means I can keep up to 30 books on hold. A book is always coming available from my holds so I have no shortage of books to read. While it’s true there can be a long wait for a brand new book, I’m ok waiting a few months. If I really want to read a book right away or the library doesn’t offer a copy, I will purchase but that happens maybe once a year. I do want to support authors but the libraries are purchasing copies of the books and they purchase more copies when they see an increased demand.


How would it cost you $5000 to buy 50 books a year? That's $100 a book.


She hasn't checked out a math book.


This made me laugh out loud. Thank you. I really needed that today.

To answer the question - I read about 100 books each year and rely heavily on the library. I do most of my reading on my Kindle so I always have a long list of books on hold. I have several favorite authors whose new release I always buy. Otherwise I try not to buy a book unless I absolutely loved it and want a copy for my "forever" shelf. I buy books through my local independent bookstore to support both the bookstore and the authors.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 12:14     Subject: Library vs Buying
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I use the library and read on my kindle. I read between 50-75 books a year. So just from a financial standpoint, it makes sense for me to borrow books rather than purchase them. If I bought 50 books a year, I would easily spend $5000 or more. I have multiple library cards which means I can keep up to 30 books on hold. A book is always coming available from my holds so I have no shortage of books to read. While it’s true there can be a long wait for a brand new book, I’m ok waiting a few months. If I really want to read a book right away or the library doesn’t offer a copy, I will purchase but that happens maybe once a year. I do want to support authors but the libraries are purchasing copies of the books and they purchase more copies when they see an increased demand.


How would it cost you $5000 to buy 50 books a year? That's $100 a book.


She hasn't checked out a math book.