kraghak-deactivated20161116:
How do you feel about people checking out your books from the library? I read a lot comics at the library to save money. I recently has a debate with a friend where he said I might as well just download PDFs of the books because either way you, the creator, are not getting paid. He said there is no difference between making ten copies of a book or giving out the same copy ten times because either way ten people read it for free.

I want you to be able to read the books you want to read, be they comics or novels or plays or sonnets or collections of short stories bound in angel fluff. Honestly. Libraries are one of the greatest inventions of humanity. That you would, in a day and age where clicking, torrenting, downloading, etc, is so simple, take it upon yourself to go regularly to your library? That’s awesome.

Here’s what you’re doing. By using your library, you’re making it possible for MORE people to read my books. Because your presence, your membership, your use supports the institution. Libraries purchase the books they lend. If you download the PDF, that doesn’t count as a sale, let alone a read. The library records what books are being checked out. If many people want to read the same book, they will purchase multiple copies of that book, of that author’s work.

And speaking personally, honestly? If you like what I write, and you find yourself able to afford buying your own copies for your own use one day, then you likely will. For now, that you are reading and enjoying and supporting your library, that’s more than enough for me.

It’s easy to say, hey, whatever works, but man… libraries. You win. Keep it up.