Ordered books from an actual library

[jack]

I ordered books from an actual library! Thanks to rmc for the idea!

I looooove libraries, both big and small, but not since I was young have I ever regularly actually *used* them for getting books. Partly that I wasn't organised enough to return books unless there were more I wanted. And I wasn't organised enough to order books for several days time and know I'd have time to pick them up. Partly that most books I really wanted I usually wanted to own, and were often a bit obscure, or more easily available cheaply online than by *going* somewhere.

But now, I suddenly realised when someone pointed it out, I _am_ organised enough to borrow books and return them and I _can_ order them to arbury, and there's several books I'd like to read but don't want to own, or want to buy but don't want the hardback for and the paperback hasn't come out yet. And I can order them to Arbury Court library, and go and pick them up on the way to work, and it's ok if I go and pick them up and am not in the GIANT library to browse because I already know what I want.

PS1. And I feel more like reserving books I want to read is usefully supporting the library rather than denying them to someone who needs them more (?)

PS2. Why don't they make more SMALL hardbacks? I'd be happy to pay more for a book sooner and sturdier, if it didn't take up the place of three of my other books!? :)

Comments

[rmc28]

:-)

[pseudomonas]

Compact Edition hardbacks, with integral magnifier!

[hatam_soferet]

Go you! U is being all the awesome.

[spaceoperadiva]

We used to have this thing called interlibrary loan, where the local library could get books from a larger library in its system. Some of the books I got to see through interlibrary loan were very obscure, not available at all for sale, or were incredibly expensive. It was a lovely service that doesn't seem to be offered where I live now. And you can always buy your own copy (if available) if you discover that you liked a book more than you imagined.

[ceb]

Every so often I come across a paperback rebound into a hardback by a library. They are the best!

[seryn]

The ones that irritate me are the LARGE paperbacks that have ittybitty print. They don't fit on the shelf, they're not more readable, the paper isn't nicer. It just costs more for no reason.

I too feel bad if I'm denying a scarce resource from someone who really needs it. Library economics here are based on circulation though. So the more books that get checked out, the more funding the library gets. That is regional. I feel bad for checking out large print books, because they're much rarer, more expensive for the library, etc. But it feels like getting the local copy of something is more efficient. So if the nearby branch has the big print, but not the other, I'll get it and enjoy reading without my glasses.

My library system also offers downloadable audiobooks. Free. App on my phone. And the app uses almost no battery.

Personally while I'm waiting to check out, I add a reminder to my calendar when the books will be due. I can't always get them done on time, but then I'll remember to rewew which can be done online. But after I'd devised that system, the library started emailing reminders 3 days in advance.

Congratulations on leveling up your life.