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User's avatar
A useful post to put words in's avatar

One of the things I like to do at libraries is to take books on “trial runs”. When I come across a title, I want to read, I borrow the book from the library, start reading it, to see my interest in it. If it’s a title I really enjoy or good enough to become part of my own collection, I then go online and buy it. If it’s not interesting, possibly finish it and return it. No harm done, or money spent unnecessary.

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Bethany Paige Campbell's avatar

That’s the best strategy!

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Emilio C's avatar

yes exactly! I'm currently still working through the plethora of unread books I own, but once I finish that my plan is to use the library almost exclusively and when I find books I really love and will reread I'll buy a copy--which will also mean that my collection of books is more special and important to me, because I'm not saving shelf space for reads I only half like :)

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rose's avatar

I love going to the book store and taking pictures of books, then getting them via libby. i only buy field guides that i can take with me for my job, and books that i really really love. it’s so much easier to read on my kindle than a paper book, and much less expensive too

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Bethany Paige Campbell's avatar

That’s smart!

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Bee's avatar

One of my favorite things to do is browse the carefully curated displays at the library. I also love the receipt that tells me the book that I checked out, as well as how money I saved by checking out that book. The library is an extraordinary whimsical place and I’ll always be a fan. .

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Bethany Paige Campbell's avatar

The whimsy is unmatched! My first stop is always the new arrivals.

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Bee's avatar

Yes! You get it!

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Sarah Joy's avatar

I used to have a library room in my apartment, it was 20’ square with 14’ ceilings, one wall was covered with book shelves, floor to ceiling and wall to wall. I loved filling it. I loved having and owning so many books. Then I moved across the country and sold everything including the books. Now I go to the library every couple weeks. I thought it would be awful (not the library part, the not owning part) but it’s not and I possibly read a little more. Yay! libraries!

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Bethany Paige Campbell's avatar

Having a room like that is totally my dream!! But I agree that I read more too when I’m using the library!

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Sarah Joy's avatar

It was mine as well! I loved it

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Sarah's avatar

Love this! Owning books is obviously lovely, but you can always go and buy a copy of a book after you've borrowed it (from a friend, or from a library) if you decide it really speaks to you and you feel you want it. In the UK, the government has a 'public lending right' scheme, where authors also do get paid for their books being taken out via public libraries. What's not to like?

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Bethany Paige Campbell's avatar

Exactly 🙂‍↕️ also that’s great, glad they have that program!

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