When I walk into a library I have the intention to buy, not rent. The concept of a public library is great, almost anyone can take out any book or media that they want, use it for a certain amount of time and then return it. This is a great way to get started on reading no matter what age you are, but I believe the appropriate way to read a book is to take it off your own shelf, read it, and once finished place it back in its respective spot to be looked upon, and remembered regularly and if its good enough loaned to friends. This habit of buying and owning books does not have to be an expensive hobby either, I rarely spend over two dollars for any given book, and more often than not the price is closer to fifty cents. Most libraries have a used/donated book sale open all of the time, some are larger/better than others but most have some sort of selection to browse. Any Goodwill or Savers will also have a great selection, even though they are a little more expensive than libraries.
My room is lined with book shelves (more being added now), and I am immensely proud of my 300+ book collection. I have books dating before the civil war, books worth hundreds of dollars, leather bounds, hardcovers and paperbacks spanning a large number of topics and authors. I have not read all of these books, but I have the capability to whenever I want, they are at my fingertips to browse and read. Since I have started buying my own books and keeping them in my room I have found that when I have free time from school there is never a point when I am not reading one of these books, an obvious benefit. The concept of ownership is important to everyone in someway or another. Whether it be through a house, car, thoughts, rights, whatever. I believe the ownership of knowledge is one of the most important things you can own. Yes, you can go to your library and rent the same version of that book and knowledge and not have to pay the money for it, but I have seen repeatedly that it is always better to depend on yourself rather than on someone else.
More to come.
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