Fannish Fifty: The Library

[smallhobbit]

I am a great fan of our local library.  The library itself isn't that large, but it's possible to reserve books from throughout the county, so the scope is considerably bigger.  While I do buy books, occasionally new, more frequently cheap second-hand, where possible I will borrow them from the library.

Apart from saving me money, there are other benefits.  Firstly I can borrow books which have only been issued as hardbacks.  Secondly, if I don't like a book I can return it without any sense of having wasted money - so no feeling that I must finish it, which then feels like time wasted.  Just because I don't like a book doesn't mean it's not a good book, just not for me.  Authors receive a small payment for every book borrowed, so they don't miss out, even if I didn't like it.

For the same reason I can read more widely because I can try genres and authors I wouldn't try otherwise.  I've made some great discoveries that way.  

And if I use the library regularly then it all helps to keep it open and available for everyone.  And I'm pleased to say that Mini Hobbit's Daddy takes her to their library every Saturday morning.

The one downside is known by every library user: if you place reservations at separate times you can guarantee all the books will still arrive together.  If it's a popular book with a long waiting list I add myself to it immediately, because there's nothing like being number 126 in the queue.  And also as soon as a new title of one of my favourite but perhaps more obscure, authors  is shown as 'on order' my name is also on the list, with the hope that I will be the first person to borrow the book in the county.

And yes, two requests placed at the end of September (both very popular new books) plus two at the end of October and they all arrived within two weeks.  

Comments

[snowynight]

I love libraries, but reservation can be a problem if the book is too popular or obscure.

[smallhobbit]

I've had to wait six months occasionally for something which is very popular - although they do tend to buy more copies when that happens. Our library system means we can check where books are, so whether we are likely to get hold of a copy.

[snowynight]

Our library system allows us to get hold of books on shelf in other libraries and let you check where they're too. There was a time that I wait so long that I traveled to that library to find the copy

[smallhobbit]

Some of our community libraries don't support reservations, which would mean going to borrow the book.

[snowynight]

Aw, reservation will make it easier.