This has been an issue over the years and although I am a great supporter of libraries, I would be a hypocrite if I didn't say I understand some people's need to buy books instead of borrow.

In the past I have seen people making jokes about choosing to buy books over food. Then some people saying that if you went to the library, you wouldn't have to make this choice. Then many others announcing the very reasons that they feel they can't do this.

Libraries really are great. They offer the main advantage of the fact that they are free. They don't just offer books, they offer multiple services for free. Of course, in this post I am only dealing with books, and the need to buy over borrow them.

I get it, because I've been one of those people. I have been on both sides of the argument. Yes the library is fantastic and you can enjoy endless books at no cost. But sometimes you just have to own something.

Because as marvellous as libraries are, they have some drawbacks. Waiting lists, mysterious marks on the pages and the fact that you have to return the books, which can be hard if you loved it so much.

Buying books offers different advantages. There is a sort of joy in the ownership of books, the fact that it is yours and you know it now holds just your fingerprints, has been where you have, and the smell of new books is a big attraction. Seeing it on your shelf can be satisfying, as it tells a story about you and is one of the reasons I wasn't a regular library user for sometime. Years ago, I was really into re-reading my books, repeatedly, and ended up having to buy a lot of books I had previously borrowed.

It isn't always a problem with borrowing in more recent times, because since I've expanded my reading interests, I've found there's always something new to read and so I spend less time re-reading. But occasionally a book is so brilliant I find it really hard to take it back. Recently I did buy a box set of some books I loved. The library computer check out likes to remind me if I've already borrowed a book, even if that book was borrowed more than two years ago. It's a reminder that though you get this service for free, it is for everyone and you have to learn to share.

Some argue that it is known for people to take books into the toilet. Which is true. And yes, sometimes it is a little worrying to think that a person might have taken a book you are holding into the toilet. I've found bits of people's lunch in between the pages of the books I am reading and various finger marks and so on. It is a bit distracting and worrying sometimes, but I've been responsible for the odd mark in a book, though I try not to eat around my library books. Sometimes you just don't notice the stray bit of chocolate on your thumb.

Truthfully there are many reasons why some people would choose to buy over borrow. The library might not work for everyone. For example, slow readers won't be able to read a book within the specified time and if there's a waiting list, it might not be possible to renew the book.

Perhaps the library isn't accessible. The local library may have closed or you live in a rural area where it's not easy to simply pop in and out to borrow and return books. Whereas with buying books it's easy to just stock up and have them ready for when you need them, whenever that may be. Or have them delivered. The hours of a local library might not suit your needs either. My local one is only open 9am-5pm weekdays, but if I get a different job, then those hours might make the library inaccessible. The only other close enough is open on Saturday mornings, but that doesn't really work for me either. In the past I bought books because I was closer to the bookshops than the library and it was a hell of a lot easier to collect books from there.

Yes, there is the e-library service, which I have got plenty of use out of. But I don't always want to be listening to audio books or reading e-books, I want the real physical thing.

It doesn't always have to be expensive to buy books either. Although generally it is best to support your local bookseller, it is expensive to do so all the time. When a regular buyer, I hoarded book tokens and capitalised on various offers, scoured the charity shops if I was searching for an older publication and it was always a mistake for me to be left alone in the book aisle of the supermarket.

My main point is, don't judge. Everyone has different circumstances and preferences when it comes to how they read and how they obtain their books.

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