Do you buy books new or borrow from the library?

[Mom2Ashli]

Borrow from the library. And I have had my Nook since December and still have not had to buy a book. I belong to two different libraries and can borrow from the library and read them on my Nook.

 

[Suz D]

We actually buy most of our books used. I love Half Price Books, especially for my kids' books. We easily spend $100 each time we go and get bags and bags of books.

 

[jodifla]

In Florida, I buy everything or get it from friends. In Michigan, we have a FAB library, one of the best in the U.S., so I get everything from there.

 

[katie26]

I'm lucky enough to live a few blocks from the main branch of my city's library, and they have a great "hold" system where I can request any book I want online, and if they have it, they'll send it over there and let me know when I can pick it up. The only books I buy anymore are cookbooks, and I usually use the library to preview those - if it looks like I'll use it and a few of the recipes turn out well, I'll buy the book. If not, I just send it back to the library.

 

[MEM]

The only books I buy new are the Harry Potter series. I use my library for audiobooks and large print mysteries. Our library charges $1 a week for DVD rentals but still, a bargain. My DH gave me a Kindle for our anniversary but I'm too cheap to buy books for it - I download any freebies that look interesting, especially the classics. I do buy a ton of books every summer at yard sales but won't pay more than $1 for a hardcover, 50 cents for paperback.

 

[Speed Weasel]

Love the Library!

As a board member for our local library, it also warms my heart to see so many people that like/love/use their local library!

In the near term, with the coming budget concerns everywhere, there will be an increased focus on libraries being able to remain relevant. Please, if you are using them, continue! If not, let your local library know (in a suggestion type of format) why. How can the local library continue to serve you and the public at large.

Also, many on this thread have mentioned Kindles or Nooks. Check you local library's website. Ours have a growing collection of downloadable material for these devices. Someone mentioned that they have never returned to their library since getting their Kindle, you do not have to come back to the building, but odds are that there are still resources that you can use with your readers. It is hard from the Library point of view, as it requires the building of two collections of books, physical and digital, but it is a way to stay relevant and contribute to the education and well-being of the community.

One more thought, a +1 for Paperbackswap.com! It is a pretty cool trading site. They also have a 'sister' site for DVDs and Blu-Rays called SwapADvd.com.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

[snip]Also, many on this thread have mentioned Kindles or Nooks. Check you local library's website. Ours have a growing collection of downloadable material for these devices. [snip]

I wasn;t aware of any library collections that could be read on a Kindle. Our library uses Overdrive for its digital books, which is not compatible with the Kindle. Is there another digital book lending collection available through public libraries that can be read on a Kindle? -- Suzanne

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Both.

I home educate, so buy a lot of curriculum books for that. They will get reused and having it available at our convenience is nice.

We do use the library as well, though.

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I do the library,the Kindle on my Blackberry-for when i'm stuck somewhere,and Paperbookswap.com,which I really like.I have so many books to get rid of and this a great way to to get them out to other people.

 

[librarygeek]

I wasn;t aware of any library collections that could be read on a Kindle. Our library uses Overdrive for its digital books, which is not compatible with the Kindle. Is there another digital book lending collection available through public libraries that can be read on a Kindle? -- Suzanne

As of right now the Kindle is not compatible with the ebooks offered in libraries, but I hear they may be working on changing that. I believe that currently you can only use the Kindle with books purchased from Amazon. The Nook, on the other hand, can read many library ebooks.

I love this thread, as I am currently studying library science to become a librarian. I used my library all the time, and then I moved and this area's public library services are really lacking. So I get what I can from there, but I also buy books off of Amazon and at a store called Best Bargain Books, which has many books for 60% off or more.

 

[nunzia]

I work part time at Hastings and get a free book a week, so I do neither

 

[littlezar]

My oldest son and I are huge library fans ~ my oldest is involved in the teen group and volunteers there every Monday. We always have books, CD's and/or DVD's out. There are 10 (I think) libraries in the city's system and we can reserve online and specify our local branch for pickup. We also have self checkout and my library card is on my key ring (like the supermarket rewards cards) which is super convenient.

The only books I own are the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I just finished re-reading them last week! I picked up a few at Dollar Tree last year and then my sister got 11 more through paperback swap and gave them to me as part of my Christmas gift.

My oldest has the Harry Potter series and all of the Calvin and Hobbes books that he plans to keep. He's got a bunch on his shelves from elementary and middle school that will probably be read by his brothers at some point and then passed on. My younger 2 boys have a bookcase in their room with all the Dr. Seuss, Disney, Curious George and other assorted books ~ most of which were bought for the oldest two over 10 years ago. My 4 year old's current favorite is the Five Little Monkey's books and I have to admit, I recently spent around $10 on Amazon for the only one we didn't have.

 

[wide awake]

I live in Elk Grove, CA, at one point in recent past a town w/ so many families moving in that the city needed to provide 2 classrooms/day for new kids. Do we have a decent library ? No !!! What a joke, teeny tiny selection. Sometimes I visit other libraries in the county for a better selection, but I've pretty much accepted that I will buy books on Amazon, or I will buy Kindle books. I read about 10 books/week, reading is my splurge, so... If I had access to a good library though I would certainly use it. When my DH was active duty AF and we were overseas where the base libraries stock plenty of current titles...I had no need to buy books. With Borders closing, and libraries losing tax money...reading is going to change for all of us.

 

[Sadie22]

I own lots of books but have learned to be selective and buy only these I want to read and refer back to again and again. My son taught me to use the interlibrary loan system to request books available from other county libraries. The books are delivered to the local branch and I get an email as one comes in. There is a separate system via which books can be requested from other library facilities throughout the state. I can even put in a request for a new book before the library system has it. After the book comes in it will be made available to me. It's a great system.

 

[Frannie115]

I'm an avid reader. I chose to buy the B&N Nook over the Kindle because you can download books from our public library system. Their selection wasn't great at the start, but they are adding more books daily. I'm not a picky reader. Any good book will do!

 

[Pigeon]

We buy the occasional book, but are heavy library users. We go at least once a week and leave with a big totebag of books, videos and CDs. Love the library.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

I love the Library.

 

[pyrxtc]

I buy way more books than I borrow from the library. Our library is very small and doesn't have a lot of books, especially new releases. I borrow what I can from other libraries but new releases are a no-no. Also, I like to take my time, and have to, reading a book. Sometimes it will take me months to get through one. my boys borrow since they are not big readers.

 

[dyna]

Neither I buy used books mostly at yard sales sometimes exchange books with friends box of books for box of books. Recently I moved into a new house that came ith 3 bood sized book shelves of books I am going to try reading those I have nothing to lose here if I start a book don't like it I can grab another.

Rarely do I pay more than 50 cents or a paperback

 

[thebeesknees]

Library all the way! We have an awesome library system here and have always been able to get anything we wanted with fairly minimal wait. My kids burn through about 4 chapter books a week each, and there is no way I could afford to keep them in books if I was buying them! We pay a fairly high amount for local taxes that helps to support the library, so I figure I might as well get my moneys' worth out of it.