Ever since I was little, I’ve loved going to the library. My mom would send me off with a plastic bag to fill with books and my very own library card. I would browse the kids section picking up any book that looked remotely interesting. I’d proudly hand over my card to the librarian and start stacking the books on the table to be checked out.
My library-going dwindled as I got older because I felt like I had already read all the good books in the place. Then, I discovered the beauty of the online reservation.
The day I discovered my library had a Web site linking me to 100 other local libraries, I was ecstatic. I realized I could put basically any book I wanted on reserve and 1 of these 100 libraries would ship it to my local library. Amazing concept, isn’t it?
Ever since then, I’ve been a little library crazy. I have a long list of books that I want to put on reserve and at any given time, I have about 5 library books at home.
I know what you’re thinking…I want to be an author and here I am not even buying books and supporting authors. Not totally true. I do purchase books that I love and know that I want to own to add to my bookshelf, but as a college student, I don’t have the funds to feed my reading addiction. When I’m older, I plan on purchasing way more books from the book store.
If you haven’t checked out what your local library offers, I would definitely do so. It’s a great way to save money if funds are a bit tight right now
Do you use your local library or do you prefer to buy books?
I checked out my first library book in almost a decade this past September — Justina Chen Headley's North Of Beautiful! And wouldn't you know it, it was absolutely incredible… and I wish I owned it so I could share my copy with others!
Needless to say, I don't really frequent the library… but only because I get most of my books through BookMooch or by purchasing them cheaper at Book Depository, Amazon, etc. My library has an online reservation system, too, and I think one of my goals in 2010 will be to use that far more than I am now! I can't even imagine what I would save if I did… though I'd miss owning the books, too 🙁
I am just like you (as you already know) and love using the library! As a taxpayer, I do not feel bad! As an aspiring author, I do. But, I still buy on average a book a week. Usually my favorites or books I know I will read again (which usually adds up to a lot!)
Going to the library was one of my favorite things to do as a little girl and now that I am grown up, it still is! 🙂
I'm a libraryaholic.
I love to read and I can easily go through 2 books a week sometimes. I try do a book a week, so it just isn't practical to buy.
The request system is my favorite thing!
I prefer to buy books. Mainly because I really enjoy rereading books, and am afraid that I'd read a book at a library I love and then never be able to reread it.
Hey, great post! You really touched on some of the great ways libraries can benefit college students and young people who don't have a lot of disposable income. We mentioned you in a recent blog post on our Web site. You can see it at http://www.atyourlibrary.org
i LOVE the library and we use it all the time- even though it is 20 min/miles away. the perils of living in the country! i am glad, too, that we have the extended catalog with so many libraries – it makes a huge difference! i think we check out abt 50 things a week, between myself, my husband, and our 7yo daughter!