As I’ve been building our Heritage Library these last few years, I’ve struggled with the best way to stretch our very sparse book buying dollars. Past experience might tell us that buying paperback books would stretch our dollars further. Carried to the next level, buying used paperbacks would probably be the least expensive way to fill our shelves. Or is it?
During the last year or two, the majority of books that I have purchased for our Heritage Library have been used, hard cover editions. Most of these, though not all, are library discards. In exchange for a bit of wear and the occasional library stamp on the inside front covers, we have library bindings, still tightly bound, that will last for decades.
Library bindings are, for the most part, sturdier than a hard back meant for purchase by an individual. Often the covers are pictorial, rather than having a lovely dust jacket, but that is of no consequence to me as I am looking for books that will stand the test of time and frequent use. I am not a book snob. I will buy a paperback version of a book that we want for our shelves if it is the only, or the far less expensive alternative. It is my hope, here, to encourage you to not make assumptions, but, rather, to comparison shop as you purchase books for your own home libraries. Here are some examples from books I have recently purchased:
In purchasing books for a geography unit on China, I needed to buy as many books as I could for a wide age range with a limited amount of money. I have, currently, a third grader and a high school freshman, so the reading/interest level here is broad! I realized I had a couple of good choices for my older son, but nothing for the little guy. A cute little series of books that I discovered last year is the Count Your Way Through Series
With that series in mind, I looked for Count Your Way Through China
I am very careful when I buy from the third party sellers on Amazon. Many of them list only their shipping information and/or some other sales pitch. That’s all good to know, but I want to know more about the condition of the book I am buying than the “used-good” or “used-very good” listing gives me. I try to buy books where a description of the particular book I am buying is given. However, if a seller has a really good sales ranking, with satisfied customers of 98% or more, I usually trust their rating of a book. More times than not, the book arrives in better condition than I had expected.
Today, as I’m typing this, the best deal for this same book would be 99¢ + $3.99 shipping. There are some others listed for less, but there are no descriptions of the book being sold. The description for the 99¢ book says, “A very good looking ex-library copy. Gently used. All pages and cover are clear and bright except for a few library markings. The spine looks good. Binding solid and tight. No creases. There is just a little bit of wear along the edges of the cover in some places.”
With that description, I would purchase this used book over the new paperback.
I look for solid and tight bindings first and foremost. Clean pages are a close second. The library markings (usually rubber stamps denoting the library it once belonged to and, perhaps, a couple of “withdrawn” stamps) don’t bother me a bit. Aaron was showing me something unique in a book that was just recently purchased. The library had used an embossing device to imprint the name of the library on a couple of the pages. We both thought it was pretty cool looking! I also like clean covers, though they aren’t a huge factor, and I fully expect a used book to show a bit of shelf wear. If it isn’t bought with signs of use, signs of use will quickly come as it’s used and loved here!
Avoid books that mention being “wavy” from dampness as they often arrive smelling of mildew.
There are, of course, instances when buying the brand new paperback copy is my best option. Corin discovered a cute little series for the very young, so I thought I’d purchase a copy of Colors of China
One more example. I love the Opal Wheeler composer biographies. For awhile, I was buying them here and there, as we studied various composers, in the best used condition I could afford. They are, however, now being reprinted in paperback format. We have just begun a study of George Frederic Handel, so I wanted to purchase a copy of Handel at the Court of Kings
Stretching your book-buying dollars can be a challenge. I am, of course, building my home library for not only my present family, but for future generations as well. I do buy plenty of paperback books, especially picture books, to help build our Heritage Library, but they do wear out much more quickly. Hard cover books are (almost) always the better choice, and library bindings an even better choice. When you can, take the time to comparison shop to be sure that you are getting the best value for your book-buying dollar.
To see all of my Library Builders posts, please check my Library Builders page.
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I'm Cheryl. I've been Copper's wife for 33 years. We have two grown daughters, two teen sons, a wonderful son-in-love and six grandbabies. Copperswife is a place to find encouragement as you joyfully look well to the ways of your own household.
