• Home
  • About Me
  • 5* Elements
  • 2019 Reading Challenges
    • Other Reading Challenges
    • 2013 Reading Challenges
    • 2014 Reading Challenges
    • 2015 Reading Challenges
    • 2016 Reading Challenges
    • 2017 Reading Challenges
    • 2018 Reading Challenges
  • My Bookish Lists
    • My Classics Club List
    • Reading the Newberys
    • Reading My Own Books
Smiling Shelves

Library Due Dates - The Good and the Bad

2/16/2017

8 Comments

 
Picture
I make no secret of the fact here on Smiling Shelves that I love libraries. Having time to visit the big library branch several towns over was one of the best parts of my summers. It's so much fun to browse and discover new books. And best of all - they're all free!

But they're free because you can't keep them. If you're checking out a library book, there is an inevitable due date to keep track of (even if you renew it once or twice). Library due dates can be helpful. They provide wonderful motivation to read, and read lots (if you're liike me and can only come home with a huge stack). Knowing that you have to return the book soon means you're more likely to read rather than play on your phone or binge on a Netflix show. I've always found library due dates to be positive and motivationally challenging (surely you can't read that whole stack in three weeks, can you? Watch me!).

Recently, however, I've found that the looming due date has turned on me. It's no longer a challenge to read the books in time - it's now stressful. This probably has something to do with a little boy who takes up a lot of my time. I can tell my reading pace has slowed down over the past couple of months. So now the huge stack of library books is just adding more stress to my life.

I've also been wanting to read more of my own books this year. I've always been so distracted by library books that this hardly happens, but for once, I'm feeling the desire to read my own books - and can't, because I have a stack of books due next week that I have to finish.

So I'm thinking of taking a break from library books for awhile. This is especially ironic and surprising, because I've just returned to library use after taking a couple of months off for my Circumreading the World challenge. But my own books are calling to me, and I certainly don't need anything else in my life stressing me out. Now the trick will be to visit the library for my son's sake without checking out any books for me. . .​

Are you a library user? Do you find due dates helpful or stressful? How do you find a balance between library books and your own books?
8 Comments
Christine @Buckling Bookshelves link
2/16/2017 08:37:17 am

I can relate to this so much! I've been trying to not be bothered about returning unread books, and learning to admit sooner when a library book I borrowed just isn't going to happen so I can return it sooner. I do think the library is helpful for curbing purchases (somewhat) -- I can request a book right away instead of buying it and if I don't even get to it, I'm extra glad I didn't spend money on it. And if I do read and enjoy it, I'm still often glad I didn't buy it, especially if it's not a 4/5 star book I'd want to keep and reread.

I overwhelmingly borrow picture books more than anything else as it is though. I love being able to pick up a variety of books or a whole stack on a certain theme, holiday, illustrator, etc. - diving into the kids section definitely helps me borrow less for myself I know I won't get too. Actually reading that huge picture book stack before it goes back feels pretty good :)

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
2/19/2017 09:25:00 pm

I like the thought of reading the picture book stack giving that feeling of accomplishment. I definitely won't stop borrowing books for my little guy, so I'll just have use those to check books off my list!

I am absolutely terrible about returning library books unread, which is part of what adds to my stress. I even have difficulty renewing them. I want them all read by the initial due date, and that's just no longer really possible. The first step is admitting the problem, right? :)

Reply
Kailana link
2/16/2017 09:32:12 am

I actually started doing just e-borrowing because I was neglecting my library books so much. Now if I get to them, I get to them. If not they expire and I request them again. I would like to go back to going to the actual library, but no point if they are just going to sit unread!

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
2/19/2017 09:27:13 pm

That's a good idea. Not having the stack of physical books there wouldn't put so much pressure on me. Except I still prefer reading physical books to e-books. But this would be a good solution if there's a book I really want to read from the library!

Reply
Meaghan link
2/17/2017 03:42:23 pm

I also get overwhelmed by the due dates sometimes. But even then, I will preview books by borrowing first and seeing if I like them. If I do, then I get put on a list to buy. But if I don't, no money lost.

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
2/19/2017 09:27:46 pm

That would definitely save some money. Great idea!

Reply
Jade @ Reading With Jade link
2/19/2017 06:53:58 am

I totally understand this feeling and how a library due date no longer feels motivational, but full of pressure... I quite agree, I think that comes from most of our time being taken up by children. I think this sounds like a good decision for you, and I hope you enjoy reading from your own shelves.

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
2/19/2017 09:29:00 pm

It's amazing how much making this decision has made me excited about reading my own books. They've always taken a back seat to library books, but now I'm combing through my shelves and finding so many books I can't wait to get to! :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    My name is Julie, and I own a lot of books. As in, they are stacked on the floor because I've run out of room on the shelves. And those shelves? There are so many books on them that they smile -- not sag; smile. This blog will cover book reviews and all manner of other bookish things.

    You can contact me at julie@smilingshelves.com.

    Picture
    What are 5* Elements all about?

    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Follow on Bloglovin

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Currently Reading

    Clara and Mr. Tiffany
    A Little Folly

    2019 Reading Challenge

    2019 Reading Challenge
    Julie has read 9 books toward their goal of 75 books.
    hide
    9 of 75 (12%)
    view books

    Archives

    November 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013

    Categories

    All
    5* Atmosphere
    5* Characters
    5* Learning
    5* Learning
    5* Meaning
    5* Plot
    5* Plot
    5* Voice
    5* Voice
    5* Writing
    Book Club
    Book Club
    Challenges
    Children's
    Classics Club
    Fiction
    Historical Fiction
    It's Monday
    It's Monday
    Library Loot
    Life
    Newbery Reading Challenge
    Nonfiction
    Read A Thons
    Reading
    Review
    Saturday Snapshot
    Smiling Shelves Soapbox
    Stacking The Shelves
    Top Ten Tuesday
    Travel
    Young Adult


    Picture