When you borrow a book from someone, it’s highly unmannerly to treat a person’s property as a coaster, doorstop, placemat, note pad, or anything else other than, well, a book!
Let’s turn the page to my top 3 Quick and Dirty Tips on proper book borrowing etiquette:
Tip #1 – Books Are Not Plates
Nothing like a good book! Via Phil Moore, Flickr
I have no idea why people think it’s acceptable to use books as serving platters. Sometimes, I can literally spot the different types of food stains to a point where I could create my own food pyramid. Before lending a book, let the borrower know how much you care about it and to please to not read it during Taco Tuesdays.
Tip #2 – Borrowing Does NOT Mean GIVING
I recommend inquiring about when you expect to get the book back. Don’t think of this as a burden on the person or a way to rush them – not all of us read at the same speed. Don’t be too harsh with this (assigning a fee is not the way to go) but do just ask.
Tip #3 – It’s Not a College Text Book
The margins in books are designed for aesthetics and framing, not as a space for your personal journal. Unless you tell the person ahead of time that you do this and they can as well, it’s fine. But if you did not scuff up your book, neither should they.
thanks!
I do not loan books. I love them too much to send my “babies” off with someone. Instead, I choose to give my favorite books away and then buy a “new” copy on amazon or alibris. I have done this many times, especially with books about Autism, which is something many parents with children on the spectrum come to me about because I have been on that journey myself. I would rather not ruin a friendship by loaning a book or movie or other media and then worrying what will happen to it. I had a dear friend borrow 5 DVDs once and then she lost ALL of them. It took her over a year to give me the money to replace them and in the mean time my husband was livid. Since then, no loaning (unless it is to a sibling), but I do give because there are some books that need to be shared!
I don’t like lending out books, because I find that people generally don’t return them and when they do, the books are returned in a shabby state. If the book is one that I am not too crazy about, I would lend it without expecting to get it back. On the other hand, if the book is one of my favorites, I would usually buy another copy and give it as a gift.
I will not lend books, or most other things. I will give the item if someone needs it more than I, but I will not lend because people today show no respect for the property of others. This is probably due to the fact that they have no respect for others. But then, most people today seem to lack respect for themselves, as well.
I generally give my paperbacks away. I don’t really see the point in holding onto a book that I’ve already read, unless I plan on reading it again (and in which case I probably won’t pass it on).
It’s my idea of paying it forward. I love sharing books with other people more than I like have a collection of books on shelf, but that’s me.
Based on experience: If someone asks to borrow a book, it’s probably pretty safe, because the person valued it enough to ask. If the owner of the book offers to lend it to someone without being asked, the owner should not count on ever seeing the book again.
Past experiences have taught me no to lend my books. They were either not returned or camr back with all sort of food stains and dog eared… really hate that person who treats books in this manner. I rever all the books as they are source of learning.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.