<p>@Niquii77, I had (and still have) no interest in reading on my tablet or phone. For me, a dedicated e-reader is what made all the difference. If you want to give ebooks another shot, I would definitely suggest trying out a dedicated ereader, not a tablet.</p>
<p>@VeryHappy, I live in NYC, and our public library system is great and has a lot of ebooks. I have looked into this, just in case I ever move from NYC, and I found out that Philadelphia public library system also has a great ebook selection. And unlike NYC and other public library systems, you don’t have to live there to get access. You can get a library membership for $50 a year and use their ebook lending system anywhere in the country. If I where somewhere were library ebook selection was not great, I think this would be a great option!</p>
<p>Interesting to read the various “venues”. Going to the library is like going to a spa for me. I could stay for hours and leave refreshed, calm and happy!!! The library has always been a free escape - I am pleased to hear that my kids choose the brick and mortar library for solace too.</p>
<p>I was an early adaptor of the Kindle and read probably 50 books on it. But it’s become apparent to me that I don’t really like reading fiction on an e-reader. Something to do with not knowing where I am in the book physically, and because I often go back to check on something I read previously and it may or may not be in the same position on the page on an e-reader. But I will use it when traveling or for nonfiction.</p>
<p>I get my book books from Half-Price books, the thrift store, the library, local bookstores, book sales and Amazon. If there’s something I want to read right away I don’t hesitate to buy it in hardcover and I never have, even when I had little disposable income. It has always puzzled and amused me that many people consider buying hardcover books the height of decadence and spendthrift behavior. What better way to spend money? </p>
<p>abasket - I agree about libraries being a place of refuge. When there is a break needing to be filled in a day of errands, I prefer the library to Barnes and Noble or a coffee shop. Long ago a friend proposed me for a rather high falutin book club saying, “When the kids started preschool, all of us took off clothes shopping except alh, who headed for the library.” Everyone who knows me knows I really like clothes. Probably too much. That was not in question.</p>
<p>One wonderful thing about the library is immediate and easy access of a wealth of material. Some memoir I read years back included a passage about a young mom wheeling her stroller quickly into the library, grabbing a stack of Anthony Trollope and quickly checking out before the baby protested. There was enough Trollope to keep her entertained for a long time. Of course, that was in the olden days before internet, amazon, book readers. So maybe not that useful these days…</p>
<p>Maybe NJTheatremom knows that memoir title? Thank you for “Life after Life”! I had brain freeze.</p>
<p>I’m a library fan, too. I’d say about 98% of what I read are real books or ebooks from the fantastic public library system in my city. My college alumni association membership also gives me access to some electronic resources at my alma mater and some other schools in that system. </p>
<p>The only books I buy are reference type books that I know I will use many times. I usually buy those at my local bookstore.</p>
<p>As a ten year veteran of my public library’s foundation, I would like to encourage all of you who are grateful for your community’s library services to make a donation. Most library systems operate on a shoestring budget and donations of any size are greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I jumped on the ebooks as soon as they were a thing. I don’t particularly find treasure in physical books… I’d rather save the paper. Being able to adjust the screen brightness has been a godsend as before long reading spells would often give me headaches. </p>
<p>When I worked at the library for the blind, I used to get talking books. Now THOSE were wonderful but only for light-hearted books… otherwise, they took me away from work too much </p>
<p>We’ve had a “family membership” in Friends of the Library for years and years. In addition, I figure my late fees support the library!</p>
<p>When the kids were little, the library was such an invaluable resource. I’d go in and pick out a big stack of kids’ picture books that I thought would interest whichever child was of “being read to” age. When reading time came (at least once a day, as a treat), I’d spread all the books out and ask him which one he wanted me to read to him first, second, etc. When all of those books had been read few times, it was back to the library for a new stack.</p>
<p>Midday, every weekday, at my local library there will be a group of older men reading the newspapers together and chatting softly; a bunch of young parents, with strollers, participating in an organized story hour or impromptu playgroup; a couple of homeschooling families researching an interesting topic; people of all age groups on the computers. It is a quiet town square.</p>
<p>The difference in asking book advice at the library desk and Barnes and Noble is usually rather dramatic. Recently I was behind a mom asking about other similar books after her daughter enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and the young reference librarian gave advice worthy of a professor specializing in the topic. When it was my turn, I had to ask if it was her specialty. Turns out “no”</p>
<p>How many times do you run into someone at the information counter in B&N who has closely read all of Austen, Radcliffe, the Brontes and is able to suggest a reading order based on the reader’s particular interests? And some potentially interesting lit crit stuff to read alongside?</p>
<p>Maybe your Barnes and Nobles are different than mine. I find this sort of expertise at the independent book stores as well. I can walk in and ask for “brand new book for child with a particular special interest that he/she doesn’t yet own because it was published just this week” and walk out with a wrapped package. :)</p>
<p>I buy 40% from my indie bookstore
Borrow 50% in HB/PB from my County library (which is one of the best systems in the country)
10% in e-books from the library. They use overdrive. I read these on my iPad. </p>
<p>I refuse to buy from Amazon. </p>
<p>I read close to 200 books a year, mostly fiction. I obviously don’t consider books clutter. They are shared with family and friends, but always make their way back to my shelves. I stopped in to pick up a book being held at my library branch yesterday and walked out with 7 books. </p>
<p>Let’s see…Barnes and Noble which is is seven minutes from my home, Target which is at most five minutes from home, or downtown that has local bookstores which is fifteen minutes from home? I’ll stick with my retailers.
If I needed expertise on books, I would ask my professors or look around the internet. </p>
<p>My area does not have quaint libraries with young families and cute older men reading newspapers. I wish! The library a five minute walk from my house has a vibe that coincides with a McDonald’s playground: unhygienic and claustrophobic. Many libraries that I’ve been to fall along that feel…Independent book sellers I can deal with. If I could find some, I would go to them. </p>
<p>I must say I’m biased. I do not like libraries, mainly because I don’t find them really sanitary. I’d prefer to have a book area/room in my own house to look upon my overgrowing book collection. </p>
<p>I probably get 50% of my books from Amazon; another 30% from my local library or inter-library loan and the final 20% is from an independent book store. </p>
<p>I would get more from the library but I live in a small town with a small library. This means that I often wait for a book (wait list or inter-library loan). If I really want a book immediately, I’ll go to an independent book store or order from Amazon.</p>
<p>I rarely go to Barnes and Noble and I don’t own a Kindle, but I do sometimes download books from Audible onto my iPod and listen when I go out walking or in the car on long trips. </p>
<p>Once a year, I clean out my bookshelves and take these books to an annual book sale, which earns money for my local public library.</p>
<p>I have always loved libraries- the smell of all the books, the quietness- I could spend hours in a library! We have a beautiful one here and I use it at least twice a week. I also have a Kindle that my H bought me as a surprise. I try to always have a book on it because I don’t want to hurt his feelings- he was so excited to give it to me-but I really like the feeling of a real book in my hands. So my breakdown is probably 70% library, and 10% each from friends, on Kindle, and purchased. We have a lot of books at home and i do purchase books that I love and want to keep for future re-reads. If I ever run out of books to read, I can always find something in my own bookshelves to keep my entertained. </p>
<p>I’ve known people who didn’t like libraries for various reasons but I’ve never heard anyone say it was because libraries weren’t sanitary. By unsanitary, do you mean a library where the reading rooms/shelves are dusty or dirty, trash isn’t emptied, and bathrooms aren’t cleaned on a regular basis. Do you not like the fact that the library is open to the public and one is exposed to germs and such. Or do you not like that anyone can come and go and a library isn’t secure like your home?</p>
<p>I freely admit to a book problem. Now that I have a kindle my H doesn’t have to know the extent lol!</p>
<p>I used to live somewhere with a great library system but now I don’t. It is very sad as I used to go to the library all the time. Sometimes I would even go from branch to branch and see what was new. </p>
<p>I do use the online library and I’m reading a book from there right now. But usually it’s amazon. New releases are just as cheap as older ones so with the kindle it doesn’t matter as much. </p>
<p>I usually only post when I’m reading a book that isn’t trash. But I read a lot of trashy novels also </p>
<p>When I am in Florida, I buy up lots of books from the Salvation Army. It is in a beach community where visitors buy books to read on vacation. Most of the books are nearly new, hardcovers are $2.00 and paperbacks are $1.00. Senior day is Monday, 1/2 price off everything. I also have a friend who owns a bookstore. I also love spending hours in Barnes and Noble. I like the “feel” of a book, so I don’t have an e-reader. </p>
<p>I have lived in places with substandard libraries. When I did, I obtained a non-resident card at a better library in a nearby town. It might be $40 - $50 a year, but it is worth it, in my opinion. I am pretty sure you can do this anywhere…in the US, at least.</p>
<p>Deb922, I’m a hopper too! And yep, I even have a library card for an adjoining county cause they have an awesome building! </p>
<p>Most of the time, I want my reading to be light. Beach reading makes me happy. I’ll go for something more heavy every once in a while but then it’s right back to casual reading.</p>
<p>One can’t buy into my library system. It’s supported by a special property tax levy on County residents - outside of Seattle proper. Seattle residents can get a restricted-use card, but they don’t get to reserve books, use Overdrive, get books via ILL. It’s a fantastic library system & while there are the people who may not have a permanent home or the best personal hygiene who hang around during the day, my branch is always clean and nice.</p>
<p>I worked in a branch all through HS and college. Being a librarian was my dream until I found out how little (comparatively speaking) it paid, and I went into a corporate finance job. </p>
<p>There are the books that have 500 reserves against 40 copies, but most of what I want is available within a few days.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine a life w/o reading. My Nana’s eyesight started going and I don’t know how she would have survived w/o the Talking Books for the Blind. They were all on cassette tapes back in the 80’s and she went through book after book. I don’t like audio books - much prefer reading at my own (fast) pace.</p>
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