I had a conversation about books with a friend of mine and we came into the subjects of buying books vs borrowing books from a public library. He said that he likes to support the author and prefers to buy the books he reads.
This made me think. The answer is pretty clear when it comes to buying vs downloading a pirate copy, but in the case with libraries it seems incorrect to say that I’m not supporting the author, but I can’t say why.
What do you think?
Libraries are where a huge number of book sales come from. And if people don’t check them out, then libraries either close or don’t buy so many books. So of course using libraries is supporting authors.
Also, I challenge your friend to find a single video of an author talking about public libraries in which they aren’t stressing the value and importance of libraries as an institution.