This person has read 40 books. They must love those books so much that they would have definitely bought them if this library didn't exist. It's not saving per se, but it's money that could have been spent. They got the books they love and they didn't spend the money. Win win, right?

[+] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world -7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

They wouldn’t have spent 60k on books over that time, they’ve only saved that much because the books were free. If they had to pay for the books they would have been more selective and less liberal in the amount.

Spending $150 a week is just a lot of money to spend on books, it’s only that much because of the free price tag, so it’s extremely disingenuous to use that amount as people wouldn’t realistically spend that.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah, libraries are so deceitful! It's all a big conspiracy to promote literacy and give people books that they don't even need!!! I can't believe they're forcing us to take advantage of them like this!

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world -3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

A more realistic metric would be used books (also reflects the quality of all but brand new fresh books which are a rarity obviously), but you can’t quantify that price, so yes using new is disingenuous, but go off on a rant I guess? I think it’s a great idea, but let’s not kid ourselves that people would actually be spending that amount on books. It’s great for a feel good story though, I’ll give you that.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

A more realistic metric would be used books

Do used bookstores all charge the same prices these days?

[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee -4 points 3 weeks ago

“We made a pretty lie. You may commence with feeling good now”