Aside from students, do any of you still go to your municipal library?
The reason I ask is that when I take the subway I often read and see others reading. All the readers’ books look bought instead of borrowed, which made me wonder if anyone still uses libraries.
Seems that you would save quite a bit of money and not have to deal with storing read books.
Yeah, I use the library. Not only for books, but for DVDs too.
The problem I find is that they don’t always have the latest books (unless they’re top of Oprah’s list), so they lack a lot in physical training and serious diet literature.
On the plus side (at least here in this part of Massachusetts) is that I can go online and look for books in any of a number of libraries, so if they don’t have it at my local one they’ll order it from another one that does. Pretty cool!
[quote]Brett T. wrote:
I’m a student, so I guess my reply doesn’t count…[/quote]
It counts.
I just wanted to distinguish the difference between using a university library and a municipal library because going to a municipal library when you have a job is much more unlikely than a student taking out a book when you’re already on campus.
Yes, I use the library. I prefer to spend my money on things I need or would use then unnecessarily. The option to borrow something for free makes more sense to me and to the money earning compound interest in my account…every cent counts for my future, and I am reluctant to let go of it.
[quote]Brett T. wrote:
I’m a student, so I guess my reply doesn’t count…but when I want to read a book just for the hell of it, I’ll buy it. I don’t much like the thought of a million people having touched the book I’m holding. I guess maybe that’s pretty weird.
I also like having the book on hand after I finish reading it. Just in case.[/quote]
Yeah that is pretty weird…how do you ever go into a public building? Do you not touch the doors? Or take a cab? Eat at a restaurant? Heck, even go to the gym? You know how many sweaty, disgusting people have left their dead skin wedged in the knurls of the bar?
I read a lot and also travel a lot so I have a lot of downtime on the plane or in a hotel. I use the library all the time. I usually have 3-4 books out at a time and read them over the course of 3 weeks.
Too expensive to buy when you can borrow for free. I’m luck the county library is close and always well stocked.
Oh, and I should probably contribute something to this thread rather than just ripping on people.
Yes, I use the library whenever I have the time to read books for enjoyment. My library also has a good DVD collection. It seems like a lot of people in my area, especially senior citizens with nothing else to do, and stay-at-home moms with their kids, frequent the library. I really don’t see how bookstores survive in non-urban areas because people I know usually buy their books online. You can usually find good deals (even taking shipping into account).
Both my wife and I use the local Library. We are in a small rural town that is almalgamated with a large urban center so we can order any book from the city and pick it up at the local branch. We have been using it alot since my wife got pregnant. Lots of baby books. Some books we still had to buy because the library didn’t have it or the waiting list was too long.
Using the library saves alot of cash, and the book doesn’t hang around cluttering the house once we finish them. And if the book is really that good we can always buy it later.
Yea, use it all the time.
I use the library.
[quote]bigurukhai wrote:
Using the library saves alot of cash, and the book doesn’t hang around cluttering the house once we finish them. And if the book is really that good we can always buy it later.[/quote]
I have the same mindset. So count this post as another “yea”.
My wife and I get books from the library quite a bit. I usually read a book or two a week. She may read more than that.
Our house does not have room to store more books. And it doesn’t seem right somehow to throw out a book after you have read it that cost $35. Donating it to the library is way too community-minded.
Public libraries are one of the few things local government has gotten right. (And the homeless appreciate a place to get out of the heat and surf the net.)
All the time. It’s alot cheaper than buying everyone you want to read. Plus if after borrowing the book you decide that it is a book you will use in the future or will read repeatedly then you can go out and buy it since you already know its a worthwhile purchase.
I use it regularly.
I use the library. I check out audio books, those suckers are expensive.
But I also buy books. I can’t stand to throw away a book so I will drop it in the library drop box when I’m done to add to their collection.
I love the Harry Potter books so I always buy extra to donate to the library. It’s a great place for famiies without a lot of money.
Shit yes! And someone already mentioned it, but its worth repeating: most liraries now have online ordering capablities.
You know when you used to go to a library and ask them to look up a book for you and somehow it would be transported to that location in a few days?
Now you can go to your library’s website, search for the book you want, and if any of the libraries in the system have it, you can have it sent to the closest library to you.
Amazing! But if you decide to take advantage of this (and everyone should), don’t forget to give a little back - libraries will never turn away donations…
Unless they’re porn. Libraries don’t want porn. And they look at you funny when you try to give it to them.
Love the library, I typically go there once a week.
All the time.
I’m kinda a weirdo. If i read a book i have to own it. Been that way all my life.
Even in HS when we had to read books like “Call Of The Wild” I had to purchase my own copy. It’s weird i know… especially since i hate dogs, but i own a book about them.
If i am just researching something then i will use the net or the library.
I own A LOT of books now since i tend to read about 4 books at the same time! Makes moving a PAIN!
Regularly.
The interlibrary loan service is a wonderful thing.