Buy a book or borrow from the library?

Something I was thinking about today (Yes I was bored), if you read, do you prefer to buy the book, or just borrow it from a public library?

For the first time in a long time, I went to borrow one today. It looks suitably "libraryish" - well used, you can tell the paper used to be white etc etc - it has character

So I'm thinking of the pros and cons to borrowing vs buying.

Buying

You can get the latest book without waiting - often discounted at a supermarket if it's a bestseller.

It's yours - it's clean, you can keep it as long as you want to.

You could buy it second hand from the usual places, really REALLY cheap,and yes it's second hand, but odds on only one person has owned it previously.

If you don't want to keep it after for a second read or to stick on the shelf for bragging rights - you could give it to a charity shop, then you can treat yourself to feeling pretty smug that you gave it away

Cons - costs money.

Library

Vast collection of free to borrow books.

ITS FREE! Yayyyy

It's environmentally friendly - can't recycle more than a few hundred people borrowing the same book can you?

Cons -
Dirty books, some dirty buggers prob read them after wiping their backsides - then you borrow it and get their poo on your fingers. Plus I'm always finding dodgy hairs in them

What do you think?

I like my own books. I don't like the thought that someone else has used something that I have.

I do both but when I buy it's usually from a charity shop. So much cheaper and so often brand new.

Also feel good and altruistic about myself.

I tend to get books from the library as I can't afford to keep buying them. I'm struggling to find any decent books at the minute from the library though so I've bought a few.

Don't know what it's like at different libraries but my local one gets ones in from other libraries if you request them specifically.

I only buy books if I absolutely have to have them in my collection. Other than that, Libraries are one of the best inventions of mankind.

If I have to have a book, I'll get it without thinking twice. Plus I only buy hardcover books, Can't stand paperbacks.

Also there is something absolutely magical about libraries, they hold so much and its ALL YOURS! I can wonder around for hours, and often I find the best books by just browsing shelves where as in a bookstore, i tend to go straight for what I want in my head and that's it. I also love the fact that libraries often have first editions, with original covers, reviews etc. With books stores I often find them replaced, and its truly not fair to the jacket design guy when he's concept is scratched for that of a movie star who made a movie out of the book. I also find it to be really misleading to the true book because sometimes the movies are nothing like the book.

But I do understand the 'dirtiness' of a book in libraries. that's the only downfall in my opinion.

I usually buy my own books, but I really should make use of the library more.

If it's something I anticipate liking, I tend to buy it. If I want to mark it up, I definitely buy it. If I plan to resell it (more expensive books, like for school) I buy it.

If it's something I'm just thinking of reading and I'm not sure if I'll really want to keep it, it makes more sense to take it out of the library. I should do this more often

books?

I'll stick with the inter-tubes, for my reading material.

me to jmo, and in the charity shop i help in we get dozens donated and they are very cheap, so i get mine mainly from there,
but i try to visit my libary once in a while to

I buy them from charity shops but I use the library too. I reserve new books on the library website as they're too expensive to buy.

I usually buy them,if it's one of my favorite authors,otherwise I go to the library I can also reserve the book on the library website,and they will get it at the other library that's not too far from my house if they don't have it at there's

The thing about a library book is it's something you can keep.

I stopped buying books when I gave up my career to raise kids, they're just TOO expensive here in Oz.
I have a collection of about 1500 Sci-Fi books that I won't part with, most are classics, or just a damn good read.
I also have ONE that I "forgot" to return to the Library, in 1964!
I wonder what the "Late Fees" are up to now?
Probably about half the GNP!

Don't forget the full control you have if you are the type of person who likes to highlight or just fold the corners as bookmarks and such. Then owning is better. Also when you really like it and wish to keep the book of course.

If not, you can borrow from the library and make sure no fine will be charged and handle with care.