In a time of hyper consumerism, you would think that utilising libraries as a means of free reading would be taken up by more readers. After all, the number of books being published in a month is increasing well above the average reading speed of many and the financial strain these book hauls have can leave you feeling like you’re misspending your hard-earned money. It seems that libraries are more of a hinderance than an aid and I want to look further into this issue to see why that is.

Let’s run some numbers, just to keep everyone thinking the sums over. This stats are specific to New Zealand seeing as that’s where I live, so adjust the numbers to suit your area. On average, a YA book costs between $22-$30 NZD (depending on print type, book size, hardback or paperback and the popularity of the book/author). For adult fiction, namely in the Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Crime genres, we’re looking at prices between $25-$38 NZD. If I convert these into USD, they’re between $13-18 and $15-23 each. In a country that is already struggling with a cost of living crisis, spending this amount on a single book is only something the fortunate and the dedicated can achieve.

It’s a no-brainer that loaning books from the library would save hundreds a month, especially for readers who are also bookstagrammers or booktokers and the pressure to read these books is directly linked to the success and popularity of their accounts. But libraries aren’t always on top of everything, especially when it comes to ready access to new releases, not to mention the aesthetics of having a library book compared to a fresh, new, unmarred copy to permanently add to your shelf (or until it gets put in the unhaul pile). So what are these supposed problems with the library system and how seriously do they impede on a reader’s status?

Libraries are not always up to date with their stocked books, especially in New Zealand. This is likely the same for other countries that aren’t America. With the high turnout rate of books from American publishers and prints, not just from the big five but mid-tier and lower-tier publishers as well, the access to preorders and standard access to these titles is not always possible. It can take months for a new release to make it to the shelves of libraries in New Zealand, or even onto the radars of these libraries, so if you’re hoping to jump on the bandwagon early for what you know is a popular release you’re out of luck. There are some genres that are undersupplied, such as graphic novels and translated works. There are also times where you will be on a 400+ waiting list for your turn to read one of the 30 copies available. Quick maths – 400/30= 13 months and some, so round that up to 14 months. That’s over a year to get the book in your holds pile. I know a lot of readers will not wait that long, and so the first question is asked – how much are you willing to pay for immediate access to a book?

There is an aesthetic factor that plays into this too, one that is a lot less serious of a matter to discuss than my next point, so I will slide it in here for a little stale comic relief. As part of caring of the books in circulation, library books are sometimes protected by a clear sleeve or laminate to protect the covers. These clear coverings make getting the right angle and light reflection a struggle, even worse when you’ve got a title in foil you want to make pop. There is also the marker of it being a library book which differs depending on where you live. For me, I have a white sticker on the spine that curled over onto the front cover just enough so that it’s visible in pictures. There is also a massive barcode on the back cover. Neither are very attractive when it comes to getting that perfect shot. So, on an measly aesthetic level, libraries books are not a bookstagrammer’s or booktoker’s friend. They can heavily downgrade your account’s aesthetic value and unless you have some major photoshop skills or a plethora of decor and additional framing pieces to disguise the sticker, they can be deterrents if you’re looking to increase your followership.

Then comes the matter of ownership. This is, debatably, the kicker for social media readers. If you do not have a permanent, or semi-permanent in this age of hyper consumption and unhaulling practices, then are you a reader? Are you actually a fan of that author or of their books? Can you call yourself a reader? There are several aspects of interest in having a book collection or shelves filled with books (likely read once, never touched again). First and foremost, the aesthetic of being a reader and the supposed esteem and trustworthiness you gain by featuring these shelves in your photos and reels. There is also an aspirational element to it – having the disposable income to buy these books month after month and display them in your at-home library, to be able to take photos and videos of your books all day and to get book mail and sponsorships and to be on those sought-after book subscription lists. The special editions, the multiple copies, the extra bookish merch and the oh so sweet title of not only being a reader, but being a social media Reader.

You may have been able to sense a little bit of bias in those previous paragraphs. This isn’t bitterness or hostility towards those you have these things, just to be clear. This is a simmering disappointment in the nature of book consumption nowadays and how capitalistic ventures into publishing and making things “collectables” has taken the reading out of being a reader. I have no ill feelings towards those who like to buy books and maybe don’t get around to reading them all. I have no ill feelings towards those who like owning pretty versions of their favourite books. If I had the money, I absolutely would look into getting the most appealing version of the books for my shelves. What I have a problem with is the fact that people think it’s normal and should be inspirational to spend every cent they have available on books that they have no intention of keeping or even reading for their own enjoyment. There has been this shift in mindset within GenZ and Gen Alpha (a generation I can’t believe is starting to leave school – I swear they are all still little babies) where the “keeping up with the Joneses” and the lack of financial literacy and media literacy has them thinking that, in order to appear relatable and in order to increase their chance of being popular/famous/likeable, they have to spend everything they have on bigger and better regardless of their personal style or interests.

Instead of utilising a free trial on these books, readers are buying copies to comply with bookstagram and booktok standards. Instead of waiting for the books to arrive maybe a little later than initial release day, readers are flocking to bookstores to get their hands on books they won’t think twice about a month down the line. Instead of accepting that some photos will have a little indication of being a library book, readers are blindly following others so as to not be the odd one out. I know it’s not everyone, believe me I know, but it is a considerable number of readers and the industry will continue to pretend like libraries don’t exist.

Libraries are a means of reading the books knowing you don’t have to feel guilty over having bought them if you don’t like them. Not only that, but libraries encourage readers to be more mindful of what they read simply because once the hype surrounding a book has faded your true thoughts and feelings about the book have the chance to be heard. If you love it, then you can buy it knowing you’ll have a book on your shelf that will bring you such joy and be a constant flame of love for your reading you’ll never forget it.

I know libraries aren’t perfect but for consumers they’re pretty close to it. I encourage you to sign up to your local library service and give it a try. My local library have ebooks and audiobooks available and large print editions of books which is great for readers wanting to read on devices or listen to books or those who need a larger font to get through the book (there are some books I’ve come across that are in size 8 font or smaller and it’s truly a crime). If you’re struggling to finish books within the time frame, then I understand if you feel less pressure in buying the book to read when you have the time. Maybe you can go halves with a friend and each buy a book the both of you are interested in reading, then swap reads once you’re done and you’ll have only spent money on one book but read two. There are other ways to read more but lessen the financial burden of up-keeping such a hefty book schedule. At the end of the day, what matters is that you are enjoying he books you’re picking up.