do you prefer to buy a book or borrow from the library?

I do both - usually ask for certain books for birthday etc, but browse the library for more sporadic interests, things I might not buy but don't mind risking when it is free. Plus libraries need to be supported.

I love going to the university library and indulging my non fiction passions

I mainly buy these days, but that's because if i fancy something, I just buy it directly when I place my normal orders.

but I love going to the library, and if it's something I know i'm not going to use regularly, or it's a big outlay and i don't know what I need, then I'll go to the library.

You can get bookstart packs from the library as well as from health checks, at least you can in my area.

Yes, I buy from the Book People via work and I also get their catalogues at home.

I also review books and have received over 60 books this year from that, but I sometimes find it quite hard work to do that, and usually end up writing reviews very late at night and posting them next morning.

she hasn't actually, I do need to do that.
She didn't have her 8 month check so I don;t think we'll get those, but wil have her 2yr one.
TBH we're never short of books - I encourage people to buy them instead of plastic tat toys for presents and we have the book people at work where the books are dirt cheap and I can never resist! We have lots of bookcases and not so much toy storage

Sparkle, has dd joined the library yet? If you're too nervous of borrowing books for her or you, don't forget the Bookstart scheme where she will get books to keep (at 8 months, 2 and 3)

I borrow a lot from the library, but it isn't the most well stocked library and there is often a waiting list for popular titles.

I buy a lot from Oxfam books to keep the cost of my addiction down

I much prefer to buy but don't have the pennies at the moment even for charity shop books so library it is. I adore the library for the dcs though, under 5 so no fines!

As a compromise use this site - like borrowing but you can keep if you want.
I use it all the time! Otherwise I buy because I am too disorganised to get the back / make sure I know where they are / /stop DD eating them. Used to love the library and will prob go back when DCs are older

I do both too. I have also just started getting E and audio from my library downloaded from them straight on to my computer (for free) ...I like the audio books but cant get used to reading a book on a computer.

I buy from bookshops on very odd occasions

I buy from charity shops a fair bit

I borrow from libraries a lot. Use them or lose them - we should be doing all we can to boost their user stats and send a clear message to the powers that be that we need libraries.

Both, but mostly borrow due to lack of shelf space.

I do both. If I really love a book that I've borrowed then I get my own copy when the paperback comes out.

Both, but working in a library was the best thing, as FiveGoMad says; there's nothing quite like a brand new book that doesnt smell that you don't have to pay to read.

Both. I like to try before I buy with DD's books and with mine, I only get to read about 2 a year and takes me ages so have to buy! :)

Both.
I borrow about 4 books a week from the library, and do an Amazon order every 6 weeks or so. I have about 20 books waiting to be read .....

I would love to work in a library

I love both...so nice to buy a new book (that new book smell)..but I love to borrow too..at work we have a library where colleagues put books they have read so others can have a read too...we also share books between us...I think this could be a great thing to do online..or on mumsnet..you would just have to pay for postage..

Buying tends to be for a treat. Otherwise with a tiny house already packed with boxes and shelves and a loft full of books, the library's a better option. I'm more likely to pick up something a bit different if I'm borrowing, which is definitely a good thing.

We do have A Lot of books at home by the way. We are definitely not minimalists. Just not got loads of money.

Borrow - definitely. Saves money and I don't like to accumulate too many books as I don't thing I have ever read one twice.

I work in a library, I open boxes of lovely new books and if now one has reserved them then I take them home, I do buy classics and from authors that I and DH love so we have the complete set.

I adore a library especially if I am alone and I can wander, pick and choose and maybe even read a bit in peace and quiet. PLus you can 'try' books and new authors. I like to buy as well but find that I have kept far too many books that I know I will never read again . PLus the cost factor and if it is a new edition you can still request it . ( I live abroad so generally I have to buy so I make the most when I am in the Uk)

I mainly buy. I need to own books.

I prefer to borrow. I don't like to clutter up the house with old books I propbably won't read again.

In fact my real preference is to buy at car boots and then give to charity shop.

Both - sometimes borrow then buy