To this day, I still love libraries - all those shelves with seemingly endless possibilities for what to read. And my local library is fantastic. If there's a book I want and they don't have it, I can send a request via their website and they always get it in quickly.
I will on occasion buy/or order books to own, but largely, I get my reading material from the library. I've discovered some favorite authors from books I randomly selected from the shelves - authors who's books I've gone on to buy, whose future books I'll be watching for.
What about you? Are you more likely to buy a book or borrow one from the library? Have you ever asked your library to get a particular book for you?
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26 comments:
When I'm looking for comparables and need about 10-12 books at a time, I'll all about the library! But, there are some books I just want to own! And I always buy craft books in print, it's not the same on kindle and I will want it forever, so the library is out.
I'm bad. I keep buying books, but my bookshelf can't handle it anymore, so now I'm back to borrowing books as well as buying them. Because I have so many writer friends, I buy their books to help them out. Plus I buy the books of my favorite authors. If I've gotten a really nasty rejection from an agent, I'm sorry to say, but I borrow her clients books from the library. Fortunately this applies to only one agent.
There are times I've borrowed books from the library, but loved them so much, that I went out and bought a copy. This is especially true if the book is part of a series.
Our book club asks our library to get books every month. I love our library!
I tend to borrow, but have been known to buy a book I borrowed if it grabbed me that much.
~ Wendy
The library is my fave place! The main reason I'll buy books now is to support fellow authors, but buying is a newer trend for me. The library was my first love. ;-)
Since I home school my little lot, the Library is our favorite resource. I'm always checking out fiction for myself now. But more and more lately, I've been purchasing books to support author's that I know and it's always fun to treat myself to a brand new book in honor of their hard work :)
Stina, you are NOT horrible! If people didn't buy, authors would be out of business. Like Jessica, I tend to buy now to support fellow authors, but when I homeschooled I lived at the library!
I'm addicted to the library. Any place with walls made of books is the kind of place I want to get lost in :) Since I've started writing though, I've definitely been way more intentional about buying books. Sometimes I even read them at the library first and, if I love them, I buy them. Especially new authors. I know how pressed authors feel to sell more books so I buy as much as I can. I'm so grateful libraries exist. They are magical, wonderful places.
I do both, but I love browsing the library - even more now that a lot of the books stores, like Borders, have closed.
I seem to go through stages where I use my library all the time and then not as much. Our library isn't in the most convenient location for me, so I haven't used it as much lately. Now that I have a Kindle, it's way more convenient to just download a new book (and the free ones are my own version of a library, lol).
Jessica - Yes, there are some books - usually parenting ones - that I have to buy so I can reference them.
Stina - We definitely need some more shelf room at our house too. I have plans for one in the family room - some day. :)
Wendy - I love that my library does such a great job with requests too! That's a good idea to have your book club do requesting.
Jessica - Yes, the library was my first love too. :)
Joanne - My kids love the library too. They keep begging for library cards of their own!
Sandra - We go there about every three weeks, just in time to take the old books back and pick out new ones.
Natalie - I couldn't agree more - bookstores and libraries are such lovely places!
Loree - My kids get annoyed with how long I sometimes take walking up and the down the library aisles. :)
Sarah - I still haven't broke down and got a Kindle, but I like the idea of not having to create more physical shelf space. Maybe soon. :)
I loooove libraries...and yet, I'm a sucker for Amazon.com and bookstores. So I definitely go for both. I actually worked in a library during high school - best after school job ever!!
I love libraries too and I borrow about 90% of the books I read. The ones I actually buy are debut authors and the occasional new release that I just can't wait for!! Then I like to pass the books on via giveaways.
Melissa - I thoroughly enjoyed working after school at a library too!
Margo - I think my stats would be the same. :) Borrow 90%, buy 10%.
I love taking the kids to the library. The one that close has the whole basement dedicated to kids.
Great post.
If I buy the book, its for two reasons 1. For my blog for a giveaway and 2. if I'm in love with the series and I have to add it to my collection.
The library is a source I use often. For myself and my kids. If there's a book someone recommends, I try to find it there first and if I love it, I buy it!
I love the library! It's been a while since I've borrowed a book for myself, though we regularly put books on hold for my sons.
I've found new authors there too! Some of my favorites, in fact.
Right now, I borrow more than buy. I don't have a lot of extra cash, and I like to test drive a book before I buy it. I love libraries! And I love ebook libraries too!
If a book is at the library or I know they'll get it then I'll wait. I have requested for them to purchase but I have to wait around 5 months to see it on the shelves. It depends on how badly I want to read it!
I am a total buyer! Only because I want my own library though. :)
Jenny - The library I worked with in high school was like that. Then they made a whole new addition just for kids.
Mina - I like that policy - borrow first, like it, then buy it. :)
Ali - I found one of my favorite inspirational historical authors just from picking up a book off the shelf. It wasn't even historical, but I liked it, then I found out she wrote historicals and I bought one and requested another.
Shallee - Love that. Test driving a book.
Laura - My library will only take requests for books that have been out for 3 months or more, so yes I have to decide if I need a brand new book sooner than later. :)
Leigh - Yes, there is something to be said of seeing rows of books on your own shelves.
I'm a buyer--but mostly because my library NEVER has the books I want!
Angela - That's so frustrating. I know I've heard of popular books at our library with 40+ people on the waiting list.
I borrow tons of books from the library. I also purchase books, but if it's an author I haven't read before, I try to get the book from the library first.
When I find an author I like, I typically purchase all of their future books--and some of their backlist.
Our library is my happy place! ;)
Jill - The library is a happy place for me too, but more so sans children. :)
If I know I'm going to love it (because enough people have convinced me that I will), and if I know enough people that will want to borrow it from me, then I'll buy it. If I'm not all the way sure, I borrow. Great question!
Peggy - I like that system - I may have to adopt that! :)
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