After living in Boston for nearly three years, I finally got around to getting a library card this winter. Why did I wait so long? I was busy with school and work, yes, but mostly I was just lazy. Also, there’s my small problem of book hoarding. In my mind, borrowing books from the library didn’t carry nearly the same degree of satisfaction as buying my own copy that I was free to underline, lend, and display to my heart’s content.

Borrowing books from the library has become a new joy in my life. I love prowling the stacks, picking out as many books catch my eye as I like, knowing my only limitation is not price or space on my bookshelf, but how many I can physically carry home. The library also appeals to the list-maker in me. On my most recent visit, I checked out 3 books: 1 contemporary novel (Richard Ford, The Sportswriter), 1 book of short stories (Miranda July, No one belongs here more than you.), and 1 classic (William Faulkner, As I Lay Dying). I like to mix things up and feel like I’m covering multiple bases with each visit (this tactic also applies to my Netflix queue, which features alternating movie and tv DVDs). Another plus of the ‘brary? It’s practically recession proof!

There are a few cons to the library system as well, of course. If I’m borrowing most of my reading material, it means I’m not buying it, which means I’m hurting my favorite local bookstore. Another issue is that many times, the library doesn’t have current titles in stock, so you need to put your name on a long waiting list to read just-released books. Even if the library has exactly what you’re looking for, oftentimes it’s a large hardcover version, which is cumbersome to carry along on the T.

Ultimately, I think keeping a balance between the library and the bookstore is a good solution. Borrow the classics from the libes and buy the new bestseller at your neighborhood indie store–everybody wins!

Tags:   bookstores · Jill · library2 Comments