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Cartographer_Waste OP t1_j5xe7xh wrote

Reply to comment by SpicyRiceBuns in renting or buying: which do you prefer and why? by Cartographer_Waste

i hadn’t thought about that, renting and then buying. comparing my TBR to what’s available at my library though, not many options haha

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mmillington t1_j5yv58m wrote

Checking books out from the library is usually preferable. If your library doesn’t have a specific book on their shelves, most libraries offer free interlibrary loan services. If you can’t figure out how to use ILL through your library’s website, just ask a librarian for help. That’s what they love to do.

I use ILL regularly at my library. I read a lot of obscure books that had small printings 40+ years ago, so the books are really expensive to buy and few libraries have a copy. I’m compiling some bibliographic info for a few authors, so I really need specific editions of books. But libraries do interlibrary loans for all kinds of books, not just special/rare books. And the service is usually FREE. I’ve never paid a fee for the 20+ books I’ve gotten through ILL.

EDIT: When I buy books, I tend to buy used books from local bookstores. All three in my town have websites, so i can search their stores from home and read the description of the book’s condition.

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SpicyRiceBuns t1_j5xf1l3 wrote

That’s one of the major downsides to renting for sure haha. I’m just not sure the benefits of buying outweigh the risks.

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mry13 t1_j5xsp2b wrote

On Open Library (internet archive) you can borrow books for a very short period of time, i.e 1-2 hours, which is great for browsing through. Personally, I borrow books or get neat ones from the flea market, or the curb. I rarely buy books, and if I do it’s usually from second-hand or antique book stores. I prefer keeping the titles I like and revisit, I abhor the clutter that comes with owning lots of books.

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melatonia t1_j5y2fjp wrote

God I am so, so tired of the clutter. Currently working on debooking my claustrophobic 1 room apartment.

Thank god they invented the e-book. I seriously grew up dreaming of that shit.

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mry13 t1_j5yb8r7 wrote

same here look, Kondo’s method is great for decluttering. she suggests keeping no more than 20 books and to focus on titles you’ll reuse, and reference, or keep those which “spark joy” as she says. the main problem with clutter is emotional baggage, i.e gifted books, books bought on impulse/sale, inherited books, and so on.

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vivahermione t1_j5zxld9 wrote

I love the idea of decluttering, because it leaves room for books you'll love, but I'm not sure I could limit myself to 20. 😲

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pokey1984 t1_j5xyqbf wrote

If you sign up with your email address you can download the full book for offline use and "keep" it for two weeks!

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pokey1984 t1_j5xyoh1 wrote

OpenLibrary.org It's a free online lending library. They have millions upon millions of free digital books available to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Then, if you decide you like the book, you can buy yourself a copy.

The books are available in many formats to work with computers, smart phones, and e-readers.

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domesticokapis t1_j614po5 wrote

Do you visit another city/county regularly at all? I have a library card for my county and where my parents live. My local one is more well funded but my parents' local is underused, so I end up getting more books from there than my local. My parents so far don't mind the more frequent visits lol!

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PennyKBurke t1_j637lk4 wrote

If you live where a number of counties come together, get multiple Library cards. I have 3, that way if one library doesnt have a particular book to rent maybe I can get it at one of the others. I usually Listen to audios, so I'm not actually driving around.

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