Do you utilize your local library?

[Kent Wang]

I have difficulty justifying the purchase of books that I intend to read only once, like novels, when it is to possible to just borrow them from the library. It is disappointing, though, to go from having access to one of the largest libraries in the world, at the University of Texas, to, after graduation, being relegated to the City of Austin libary.

 

[Kasper]

I have to travel a lot for work so I cannot really use most local library's. It would be nice if you could take out a book in Denver and return it in Philadelphia. I mostly read graphic novels anyway and I don't think most carry that great of a selection on these.

 

[globetrotter]

I live a short walking distance from the library, and we get there a couple of times a week - I walk there with my son, sometimes with my wife, as well.

I have 6 bookcases full of books at home - each one about 4 feet by 6 feet, loaded with thousands of books. I always used to believe in buying and keeping books. I have only bought a handful of books in the past 2 years, we take out a dozen kids books, a half dozen novels for my wife and 2 or 3 history books for myself every week. I also spend an hour or two every week in the kids room with my son, and use that time to read magazines that I wouldn't buy myself - like utne, backpaper etc.


and all this for free.

 

[Fabienne]

I use the local library mainly for children's books in English, and cookbooks for myself. Once in a great while, I will thus find a cookbook I like and purchase it from a bookstore.

I borrow novels in English from my husband's private library, and French and German books I get from Europe (or Canada for French), borrowed from friends or purchased there. I also have friends who are University professors with extensive private libraries in various languages.

I believe state universities allow state residents to have access to their libraries; is that not the case any longer, or does it depend on the state?

 

[Thracozaag]

Local library: Free Dvd's

koji

 

[mack11211]

I'm with above. Can't beat the NYPL. BPL is pretty good too.

 

[chorse123]

BUY BOOKS!

I don't use the library -- I have more on my reading list than I can handle -- but I would buy more books if I didn't.

 

[AlanC]

Our local small town libraries only have romance novels and other trash. Our kids do make weekly trips to the fairly decent kids sections, though. Like Kent, I generally don't use libraries unless it's a college library, and I haven't even done that in years.

Kent, can't you check out books from UT simply as a resident of Texas? I know in Kentucky any Kentuckian can use the UK library.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by chorse123

BUY BOOKS!

I don't use the library -- I have more on my reading list than I can handle -- but I would buy more books if I didn't.

you don't have a personal interst in this, do you?

 

[dah328]

Yeah, I used the UT library when I lived in Austin and I'm not even a UT alum. I think there was a program through the local public library that provided access to some university libraries.

 

[Dakota rube]

My public library offers — in addition to books — a fabulous selection of cds (classical, opera, pop, rock, c&w, folk, etc.), dvds, graphic novels and even computer software. Also has a fairly good web site through which I can search for and "hold" titles, or request items from any other public library in my state through inter-library loan.

And, like GT said, its all free of charge!

 

[Fabienne]

Originally Posted by dah328

Yeah, I used the UT library when I lived in Austin and I'm not even a UT alum. I think there was a program through the local public library that provided access to some university libraries.

I've done that too, but the terms are more limiting, at least where I was. If I recall correctly, you could only keep the books for a very short time, two days.

 

[Margaret]

I re-discovered the NYPL about a year ago -- great for DVDs and classical recordings I want to audition, as well as for novels or any book I'm likely to read through just once or twice. Buying makes sense only for materials I'll use for ongoing reference.

 

[chorse123]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

you don't have a personal interst in this, do you?

Well, somebody's got to cover my salary. Even though I'm biased, I think that buying books is one of those things we should just do. If you value current writing, and you're not broke, you should help support writers and publishers by buying books. And even though books are extraordinarily cheap right now by historical standards, I'm personally doing my best to make them cheaper; paperback originals now run between $12 and $16, much less if you buy from Amazon.

Libraries are great, too, especially for children's books, which are expensive and short.

 

[whoopee]

I agree. Build your own local library.