Libraries Vs. Bookstores

Because of my book addiction, there are some in my family who suggest that I check out books from the library rather than buying them at the bookstore. Makes sense, right? Especially in the crumbling economy we find ourselves in where jobs are being lost, prices are increasing and no one knows how long this recession will last.

Unfortunately, the decision to go to the library instead of the bookstore isn’t as simple as it might appear. So I’m going to talk about both and give the pros and cons of each.

The Library

Libraries are great public resources that benefit their respective communities in so many different ways, especially in promoting literacy among its citizens. Here are a few thoughts to ponder about the library, both good and bad:

- Checking out books from the library is free. Unless you’re like me and live in an unincorporated part of town, then you have to pay a fee based on property taxes to get a card.

- Most libraries have a good selection of books that will keep most bibliophiles happy for years to come.

- Books must be returned to the library. And you cannot mark in the books (ie. highlight or underline).

- Some books are very old and some are of questionable cleanliness. For germophobes, this might be a big problem.

- Libraries don’t keep the more liberal hours that bookstores do.

Now let’s look at what bookstores have to offer:

- You keep all the books you buy from the bookstore (more about this later).

- The books are new and fresh and you don’t worry about where they have been.

- Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) the prices can be too high. This is a big deal if you have a tight budget.

- Bookstores generally aren’t quiet places to study. If you need it quiet, the library might be your best bet.

Okay, so we can safely establish that there are good and bad things about both bookstores and libraries. For me personally, I prefer the bookstore. I love the feel, look and even the smell of a new book. It’s always fun to come home with your bag, take the books out, read the ack covers again and then dig in!

I also prefer the bookstore to the library for the simple fact I get to keep the books. For me, each book I have read is like a trophy. I think a lot of people take pride in their personal libraries at home and like to "show off" what the read. However, on a more practical level, I do refer back to books quite often. Even mass market paperbacks I will dig through them looking for ideas, or if I really like a certain passage I might want to re-read it again.

Do you prefer bookstores or libraries? And why? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts on this fascinating subject. Don’t be shy, I promise not to bite!

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