
Finding Awesome Stuff at Libraries
Paul Smith wrote:
of course, as any librarian will tell you, not everyone borrows a book or CD with the intention of returning it!
A friend of mine --- no, not me : an actual friend ! --- found a rare, older, kinda beat-up, first-edition Edward Gorey book at the public library.

She checked it out to read and then "lost it". Paid $20 fee to the library so that they could get a brand-new one.
Is this justifiable? Is it ethical ? Perhaps, perhaps not. Guess it depends.
The patrons were able to enjoy a brand-new book, and she preserved the original so that no further damage would occur. Granted hers had the library stamped on it and other items glued on - so it wasn't pristine, but to her, she loved that book more than anything.
I think the book is happier where it is - protected and loved. Would I do the same as my friend? Probably. If it was Edgar Allan Poe - definitely !
I worked in a library once, and quite frequently the older beat-up ones are sold for a $1 at an annual sale or unfortunately just thrown away/recycled when they needed to be replaced.