Last spring, I went through an epic psychological battle about whether or not I could step back into school mode and live off assistantship wages. Eventually I decided that yes, I could, but whether or not I succeed in this pursuit remains to be seen.
Like the government, I have been forced into either financially irresponsibility or really reigning in my spending. One of the ways I have tried to limit my spending is by utilizing libraries as much as possible. Back in undergrad, I was in my buying books phase. It was like a contest to see who could acquire the most and coolest books on his shelf to impress all his visitors. Went through the same thing in high school with CDs. Huge waste of money, by the way, both times. I was also that student who thought he needed to keep all his textbooks for the future, when I would refer back to them. I see so many others say the same thing. What a fiction we live in, most of the time.
I have replaced those methods with library use on steroids. Or, a metaphor I prefer: library whoring. As in, I use multiple libraries, acquire library loans when necessary, and even solicit libraries I don't have access to by asking friends who do have access to help me out. I will not reveal the identities of those people, as I wish to continue library whoring.
So far, it has been a worthwhile pursuit. My go-to library is the Anderson Public Library, which is shockingly good, and often willing to order books they don't have. From there, I try the IUPUI library. To my annoyance, one time I tried to get a book on loan and I got an e-mail back saying I could not get the book because it was a textbook and I was supposed to buy it. How ridiculous is that? Why do they care? One more reason to believe universities are just another notch in the consumptive, Capitalistic machine, I suppose.
If I cannot get a book through either of those libraries, or through loans from those libraries, I then check two others through other people. The goal, of course, is not to buy anything, even textbooks. When I get really desperate, I buy an older edition off of Amazon for like $5.
How am I doing so far? I believe in twenty-two hours worth of classes, I have had to buy two books from our bookstore, and one off of Amazon (old edition, of course). I definitely recommend library whoring for all those students out there!
6 comments:
The student has surpassed the teacher... I'm sure I wasn't the only teacher, but I'd at least like to take credit for some of what you have learned about the art. :)
Haha indeed you have definitely contributed to my library whoring!
Libraries are under used and underappreciated. What's more, they are the greatest institution of shared goods among people, and we refuse to utilize them solely for the gratification of "owning" something that we can call our "own."
Then again, it could be worse: people could forget about books altogether (some already have, according to most reports).
Borrowed or inter-library loaned all of my textbooks this semester (worth <$200 compared to buying the cheapest online used books). Of course, I will need to rely on renewals sometimes (only get about a month for loans, compared to a year direct from our library), but there are ways to prevent this being an issue. Also, sharing books with colleagues is a good choice.
Still haven't used the Muncie Public libraries for texts, but I'll definitely try that when luck isn't on my side. Good advice!
-Forge
Chris, I am a library whore too!
Let's take on some deep penetration of knowledge by using their resources! This is exciting!
I can’t wait to open up my… books. I have so much experience that I can take on two or three (books) at once! And I love getting in different positions when I am reading. I can do it sitting down, standing up, or lying on my back!
Yea Corey, let's borrow books from individual libraries then swap them through the mail!
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