I love the smell of libraries, the hush of its patrons; I love perusing libraries, reading in them. The only problem I run into is that I like to write in my books and keep them on my bookshelves, both to look smart, and so I can go back to my notes and sound smart also. That's how my memory works--it needs its madeleines. So the library shelves are not ideal for me, but library sales: oh what a place for books! 25 cents! That even puts Strand's dollar racks to shame, and the selection is often really great. My dad (from whom I inherited this frugan gene) has even found scads of classic first-editions ($!). Most public libraries have sales, usually every month or two. You can find sales here. In addition to expanding your knowledge whilst saving money, you're also supporting the library, saving trees, shunning land fills, and all the rest of it.
FRUGAN - living sparingly with regard to the detriment of one's wallet, environment, climate, society, and general sense of well being.
[i.e. the years I lived as a dumpster diver in NYC]