Where do you get your books? Do you use the library?

[Bbq1]

During my childhood through to about age 35, I regularly used the library. When ds (now 20) was young, we used the library at least monthly. I haven't been in years. I'm 52 now, a voracious reader, have 2 huge overflowing bookshelves and for years have bought my books from Amazon/Waterstones Nothing beats receiving a lovely pristine new book through the door or browsing and buying in a bookshop. However, with the col I'm considering returning to the library again to save money. Does anyone here who reads use the library as opposed to buying books new?

Use mine every week. It is the environmentally friendly choice 😊 we also have a local bookswap shelf.

I use the library all the time and just buy the occasional book especially as they are quite expensive now. The library app is really good and it’s easy to order books, you can even scan the barcode on a book in the shop and order it from the library. The downside is you can be waiting a long time, but I’ve discovered authors i might not otherwise have read and if I’m not sure if I will like a book it doesn’t matter and I don’t feel obliged to finish it.

Aren’t ebooks better in terms of the environment alone?

I work in the city centre and will pop into the library every few weeks. I don't always borrow something, sometimes I just sit and read one of my own books. I get books for Christmas and my birthday but most other books are borrowed or second hand from charity shops, NT bookshops, the bookshelf at work or in a random phonebox.

Cradle to grave over a print book whose impact is spread over a couple of hundred readers? I doubt it. (I did read the details a while ago in a book... from the library)

sites.uw.edu/libraryvoices/2025/01/13/battle-of-the-books-from-an-environmental-perspective-does-digital-or-physical-win/

I have always loved the library and it was my sanctuary for many years. Following Covid I tried to re engage but part time opening and the availability of second hand or pay what you can books in supermarkets or cafes have resulted in my having a back log. I feel guilty and today went to go in our local library but it was closed.

I use the library quite a bit. I never just go in for a browse, but instead look books up in the online catalogue and reserve them. They then get sent over to my local branch for me. I often reserve new books that they have on order, then get them brand new when they first come in.

I use the library. I used to be constantly buying books on amazon, never got the time to read them. My local library is brilliant, it's easy to renew books online and they've got rid of late fees. I mustve saved a fortune and I think we need to use local services or they'll disappear.

I do buy cookbooks and holiday reads in charity shops as I wouldn't want to stain a library book with food or suncream.

Phone box.
National trust second hand shop.
Garden centre second hand shop.
Friends.
Family.
Work colleagues.

I'm in Melbourne and the libraries in my LA are excellent and open every day.
I use them a lot. If a book is exceptionally good or not in libraries, I'll buy it. I try op shops first, then wob.au. which does used books and free delivery.

It's hard copy only for me.

Libby app

I have a Kindle and use it a lot but I also buy tons of books from bookshops. I travel a lot in the UK and if I’m in a town that has an independent bookshop I always make a point of buying a few books.

I do have a library card and I use the library for other stuff but not for borrowing books.

Same as you I am a voracious reader and was a big library user then Amazon buyer. (I'm in my early sixties). Have just rejoined the library and am loving it as much as I used to. You can take out any book that takes your fancy and if you don't like it you just take it back and borrow something else.

I use Vinted, for books. I've gotten very many from there. I highly recommend.

Hi, i use the library, charity shops, and online. World of Books do deals of buy 3 get 4th free on many titles. Also, in many Tesco supermarkets, when you go through the checkout there are bookcases with books that have been donated, so you can take them, or hand in your own used ones, and give a donation to the tin they have. They usually request a £1 for 3 books some dont request anything.
My local B&Q also do this too as well as independent garden centres.
I got a Thomas Hardy book last week from Tesco that someone had donated, i was so pleased as I had been looking online and it was expensive. You never know what you will find, and some of them are new!

Charity shops and book swaps at the Community Centre or corner bookcase.

I use the library a lot, round here it's free to order any book you like from the library catalogue (covers all of SW England) to be delivered to your local library. Sometimes books take a while to arrive, other times they turn up within days. I also use World of Books for secondhand if there's something I want a bit more quickly (eg for book group) and rarely buy new. I do have an audible subscription as well.

We have a book swap in the village & at work, both of which I regularly use. At Christmas, my daughter & I get each other 12 books (can be new, charity shop, anything we think each other would like), wrap & label for each month, so a new one each month & we swap when read.

I use my library. I order them online and collect. You get a month but can renew 3 times, and no late charges. I’m in 2 book clubs so can’t afford to keep buying the books as well as my own ones I read!

The Libby app is pretty crap. Very rarely do they have the audiobook and then there’s often a long wait.

HELP is there a way of reading ebooks from the library on my kindle? That would be my dream as I much prefer kindle reading to books.

I listen to audiobooks all the time, usually on Spotify. You can get 15 hours a month which is good for me.

As far as I know, you can’t get library books onto a regular Kindle. With Borrowbox, you can read on a web browser or an app which you CAN get on a Kindle Fire or iPad etc. This is fine for reading indoors (and great for e-magazines and newspapers etc), but not so good for reading books on the move or outdoors.

KOBO readers CAN read library books, but you have to faff about a bit on a computer first to get them on.

I think Amazon/Kindle are less restrictive in the US.

I use the BorrowBox feature through my local library. I never buy books anymore

I still use the library 😊 I also have the Libby app on my phone for ebooks or I buy them from the bookstore

I read all the time. I can easily get through 3/4 books a week. I read mostly on my Kindle. I have Kindle unlimited so have access to many books.

I never buy new books. We have a book exchange in my town, similar to a library, but you don't have to sign anything in or out. You just go in and find as many books as you would like and take them. I then take books back to them.

I will buy books in charity shops, but often they are too expensive now, especially if I can get them on Amazon for 99p

My library is very small with a very limited supply of books. I buy almost all mine 2nd hand, usually from places like eBay or WOB. Then sell on or donate. Have found lots of good ones in charity shops too