I am thinking of selling most of my (physical) library in favour of electronic resouces: Thoughts?

I have invested a lot in my Logo library over the past few years to the point where I almost never use actual books anymore (for sermon prep). I still own and buy hardback books but I am beginning to wonder if the time has come to make the switch to only buy e-books. I enjoy reading a lot but I have resisted going fully electronic because I like to feel the book I am reading. Then I had kids and space (and money) became an issue.

I am wondering why I keep books in my library that a) I never use or read and b) I have in Logos (mostly commentaries). I wonder how much vanity is involved in having a "visible" library. I have Platinum and many many other resources so my library is well kitted out.

I can see some positives and some negatives to this but i am wondering if anyone out there has completely (or mostly) made the switch to electronic book reading. I have an ipad so I can read books via the Logos and Kindle App. Has anyone made the switch only to regret it and turn back?

Just interested in people's thoughts! Smile

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mwk

Made the switch to both digital books and magazines on my iPad and have never, ever regretted it.

There is a potential negative that has been discussed here and in the broader world of digital books: Who really owns the books?

The discussion came up here recently when the question was asked about what would happen if Logos went out of business. Would we still have access to all of our books?

And I believe there have been a few cases where Amazon books have been pulled and readers losing access to them.

Valid questions, but I've decided not to waste energy worrying about it. I'll deal with it when I'm actually affected by it which may be never.

The "feel" of a book has been completely overruled by: more free space, adjusting fonts sizes for these aging eyes, generally cheaper than print, delivery in seconds rather than a trip to a bookstore in another city, easier to highlight notes and then paste them in Evernote for easier access, etc.

And I hear you on the "visible" library which I used to take pride in... until I got tired of dusting the shelves and (gasp) packing the buggers up for a move.

My iPad is my library shelf now and it goes with me wherever I am.

Simon Pleasants

I've made a gradual transition to e-books over the past three years and have no regrets about it. I'm about to move to Japan to live there indefinitely, so I'm very glad that I can take all my books with me on my laptop and iPad (it would cost a fortune to ship them and Japanese apartments are not what you'd call spacious). I donated my commentaries to a local Bible college and less technical books to my Pastor. Both were very grateful to receive them. Alternatively, If you're able to sell your books, you can invest the proceeds in Logos. I suggest getting rid of some of your paper books and then seeing if you miss them.

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445673#Comment_445673

Made the switch to both digital books and magazines on my iPad and have never, ever regretted it.

There is a potential negative that has been discussed here and in the broader world of digital books: Who really owns it the books?

The discussion came up here recently when the question was asked about what would happen if Logos went out of business. Would we still have access to all of our books?

And I believe there have been a few cases where Amazon books have been pulled and readers losing access to them.

Valid questions, but I've decided not to waste energy worrying about it. I'll deal with it when I'm actually affected by it which may be never.

The "feel" of a book has been completely overruled by: more free space, adjusting fonts sizes for these aging eyes, generally cheaper than print, delivery in seconds rather than a trip to a bookstore in another city, easier to highlight notes and then paste them in Evernote for easier access, etc.

And I hear you on the "visible" library which I used to take pride in... until I got tired of dusting the shelves and (gasp) packing the buggers up for a move.

My iPad is my library shelf now and it goes with me wherever I am.

Interestingly our physical library could just as easily be destroyed by fire or, as happened to a friend of mine, mold! My guess is Amazon are somewhat different to Logos (more ruthless). E-books are so much cheaper for us in Australia. Even if they were to whack an import tax of 10% it is way cheaper than anything I can buy locally.

I like you point about not wasting energy!

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445673#Comment_445673

I came to the same conclusion as you as I almost exclusively use my Logos library these days. I'm currently in the process of giving most of my paper library away to others who would benefit from them but do not have the resources to purchase them.

I believe that I am accountable to use all that I own to build up the kingdom of God and I'm hoping that this is one way that I can do that. I have found it difficult to part with them but this is a good test for me to make sure that I don't hold on to things too tightly. Can anyone relate to this struggle?

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445677#Comment_445677

I came to the same conclusion as you as I almost exclusively use my Logos library these days. I'm currently in the process of giving most of my paper library away to others who would benefit from them but do not have the resources to purchase them.

I believe that I am accountable to use all that I own to build up the kingdom of God and I'm hoping that this is one way that I can do that. I have found it difficult to part with them but this is a good test for me to make sure that I don't hold on to things too tightly. Can anyone relate to this struggle?

I can relate. Interestingly it was the passage, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth" that prompted me to reflect on whether I needed both. I asked myself how much vanity was involved with me keeping books on the shelf where people in the church could see them. There are some books I own in Logos that I would never get rid of for sentimental reasons (Barth's Dogmatics for one). I would keep these and pass them on. How I still like reading ministry related books in paperback but commentaries and academic works are much better suited to e-books. Especially logos. I also like reading a leather bound Bible. Call me old fashioned!

Mathew Voth

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445681#Comment_445681

I have been debating this issue as well. Would love to get some value back for my physical books, but am unsure how to sell them. I live in Canada, so Amazon/ebay are not quite as effective. Any suggestions would appreciated!

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445685#Comment_445685

I have been debating this issue as well. Would love to get some value back for my physical books, but am unsure how to sell them. I live in Canada, so Amazon/ebay are not quite as effective. Any suggestions would appreciated!

I am thinking of bundling books. If I have a really good book (such as a volume by a well known author) I'd bundle it with 4 other not so well known or sought after books. Essentially I'd get some value and clear my library. I'd look to do it soon and advertise it through local seminaries and denominational newsletters etc. Amazon is not an option here but I guess Ebay is and so are other second hand book sites.

Floyd Johnson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445685#Comment_445685

I have chosen to not sell, but give my books to a young pastor. They are just beginning to build a library - whether it be hardbacks or electronic. My hope is that if they eventually upgrade these hardcopies, they will pass them onto another deserving soul - again at no cost.

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445688#Comment_445688

I have chosen to not sell, but give my books to a young pastor. They are just beginning to build a library - whether it be hardbacks or electronic. My hope is that if they eventually upgrade these hardcopies, they will pass them onto another deserving soul - again at no cost.

That is a really great idea and one I will consider. I am planning to raise money for a worthy cause with my sales. I may even offer a donation as one can afford option. Who knows.

Everett Headley

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445689#Comment_445689

My thoughts on going completely digital:

1. The power of Logos tools is simply not able to be matched by my own abilities, be it working in original languages, exhausting a cross reference or simply the time it takes to psychically locate, open, and put back physical books.

2. I can have my entire library (almost, still some hard books to transfer) wherever I go on my laptop/tablet.

3. My biggest hurdle was the feel of a book, but after getting a tablet and using it for a while, the issue is nonexistent in my mind. I can highlight, copy passages and make notes on anything. This has allowed me to make my own "study Bible" in a way that I never could with physical book. For instance, I copied about 4 paragraphs from Athanasius and put it as a note on a verse in Scripture. That note will always be there, and is exteremely useful for furture reference. All I could do in a print Bible would be to say "see Athanasius 2.X.11" Still my hardest problem was shelving my Bible held together with duct tape that had been trough college and seminary with me for over 8 years. A trustworthy friend. I chalked it up to personal pride and have never really looked back.

We continue to move in a world that is increasingly digital and computer reliant. While it is possible that some sort of doomsday could erase everything, I really don't think it will happen. If Logos does go out of buisness, I am confident that the current engine will continue to run.

One final, and most intersting note is this: Personally, when I would recall something in my Bible it would be wher eon the page I wrote a note or saw a portion of Scripture, not the actual address, ie "Luke 4:2" Since going all digital, I have hadd to memorize address and actual content more often which as led to quicker recall and connection to other similar content.

Conclusion: Go digital. Get a good tablet. Get a fast computer.

*Apologies for the spelling errors. Its late.

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445756#Comment_445756

Everett, thank you for the thoughts!

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445776#Comment_445776

I have a small print library. Most of them are not in digital format. Those that are, I usually keep in case someone wants to read something from a commentary. I will lend them that, no way am I going to allow just anyone to sit in front of my computer unattended.

Paul Golder

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445688#Comment_445688

I have chosen to not sell, but give my books to a young pastor.

I too have been giving away my library for a number of years now. Most to my church library, but the more treasured ones to individuals.

It's been a long an arduous process, because I am still a lover of books.

But there has been a renewing of my mind when it comes to books. When I'm in a book store and find something I like, my first thoughts are to wonder how long it will take me, or how much it would cost to pay someone to type it up in Word. [:)]

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445685#Comment_445685

Hi Matthew,

Whereabouts are you located? I live in Mississauga.

You can always try Kijiji, but I doubt you will find many people searching on there for commentaries and such. The best option I have found is to give it away to someone who would make use of it (a preacher or pastor) or bundle them and sell it to someone within your church community.

Maybe you can even list it here. I dont know if the forums allow that though

Ted Weis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445832#Comment_445832

When I bought my first Logos collection, and realized through usage its value, I sold off all shelf versions of books that I had in Logos, which helped finance my Logos investment. Without hesitation, I sell any shelf book that I have in Logos. To those of you who give away books, tip of the hat to you! [8-|]

Since then, several times I've purchased Logos versions of shelf versions and then sold the shelf version. Most of the time, it cost a little more to "upgrade" books to Logos.

My struggle is shelf books that I don't have in Logos. For many of these books, I'm not willing to shell out money to convert them. They haven't been used in years, but they are there "just in case." For example, I have a shelf version of a commentary, but not in Logos, but I have plenty of Logos resources for that particular book. This is the area where I need to decide--let stand on shelves or thin out.

Matthew C Jones

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445832#Comment_445832

Maybe you can even list it here. I dont know if the forums allow that though

Nope.

Bobby Sloan

Hi, I sold most of my physical library on Amazon and eBay. I priced them right and sold them right away. I have never regretted it. The ones I didn't sell aren't available in software format or are too used and worn to sell. I reinvested the money into more bible based software. With these I get instant access, I can cut and paste, highlight, make files and copies. Also, I can take the entire library with me when I travel! What's not to like about it? I can't see any advantage to keeping books that can be down loaded to my library. I hope this helps. Wickimaster#1

Matthew C Jones

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445676#Comment_445676

nterestingly our physical library could just as easily be destroyed by fire or, as happened to a friend of mine, mold!

I lost five thousand dollars worth of books due to a leaky roof in a storage unit. Fire, mold, floods, and dust will eventually take all paper books.

The benefits I see in going digital out-weigh all the nostalgic reasons for keeping paper books. The only paper books I buy anymore are books that are not available digitally. The last Bible related books I bought in paper format are the titles in the Fortress Press Homiletics Collection. They were not available in Logos at the time. (That tells you how long ago it was.) I now have them in Logos and will be selling the paper versions. I'm not allowed to sell them in the forums [:D]

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445867#Comment_445867

I lost five thousand dollars worth of books due to a leaky roof in a storage unit. Fire, mold, floods, and dust will eventually take all paper books.

Ouch! I think reading is the main thing. Perhaps the book was the medium and now e-books are the medium. It is a gentle reminder that everything is temporal. Losing $5K worth of books must have hurt. [:)]

Philana Crouch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445972#Comment_445972

I made the decision to go digital with my Bible study book a long time ago. Logos was smart and hooked me with an academic discount. Now even my general reading books are digital. I even my library books are ebooks (books are automatically returned). I think its been at least two years since I purchased a physical book for myself. I did buy one book because my "little" brother (chronologically) still prefers print books.

There are so many benefits. I don't have to worry about having access to my books if I move or travel. I can't loose my books. They cost less...Zondervan and Harvest House have books $.99-$5.99 right now. I can easily share quotes and Scripture with friends and family on Faithlife, Facebook, and Twitter. When I'm studying or writing on the Bible everything gets properly footnoted. My notes and highlights are backed-up...ever had to change Bibles and lost your markups.

My priority of shopping is Logos > Vyrso > Amazon Kindle

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445976#Comment_445976

I just wish Vyrso had more choices! i search for Eugene Peterson a while back and they had maybe one or two of his 30 books!

George Somsel

I have invested a lot in my Logo library over the past few years to the point where I almost never use actual books anymore (for sermon prep). I still own and buy hardback books but I am beginning to wonder if the time has come to make the switch to only buy e-books. I enjoy reading a lot but I have resisted going fully electronic because I like to feel the book I am reading. Then I had kids and space (and money) became an issue.

I would say that that decision greatly depends on several factors. If you have print books which you do use, I wouldn't get rid of them until I had replaced them with Logos versions. Some books will probably never be published by Logos and sometimes you want a particular work immediately but it isn't yet in Logos. I still buy print books (and PDFs). The other week I ordered Huehnergard's new An Introduction to Ugaritic. I already have Cyrus Gordon's Ugaritic Textbook in Logos, but that is the book I used when I studied Ugaritic in the cemetary 2-3 yrs ago. [;)] I was wanting something newer. I think you need to evaluate on a book by book basis.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445981#Comment_445981

but that is the book I used when I studied Ugaritic in the cemetary 2-3 yrs ago.

That is a good place to study, it is very quiet and peaceful. Maybe one day I might try it. [;)] lol

Matthew C Jones

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445972#Comment_445972

Losing $5K worth of books must have hurt.

Had the books been on my shelves rather than in storage, I would not have lost them. That type of physical loss is not going to happen with Logos because they can be restored to my laptop.

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/445832#Comment_445832

I live a few hours north in Haliburton. Makes me wonder how many Logos users are in Southern Ontario.

I really like your idea of Logos providing a place to list paper books but I don't know if the forums will allow it either.

SteveF

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446042#Comment_446042

I live a few hours north in Haliburton.

Dear Bruce:

I am familiar with both "the Forest" near Haliburton plus "Red Stone Lake." [Rocks, trees; rivers; lakes]. Gorgeous!

Down here in southwestern Ontario's former Kent county, we have mostly flat fields for corn and soybeans.

Regards

Steve F

[EDIT: in order to not entirely highjack this thread--are folks able to find deserving young seminarians to donate books to? Many are quite grateful and appreciative--whether they are also using Logos or not].

Ralph A. Abernethy III

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446196#Comment_446196

I, too, am going digital and am giving away or selling very cheaply my print resources that are available to me in Logos or Kindle format.

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446215#Comment_446215

I, too, am going digital and am giving away or selling very cheaply my print resources that are available to me in Logos or Kindle format.

Last night I began taking books off of my shelf to sell. It was not as easy as i had thought! [;)] Fortunately my wife was there to help!

SteveF

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446216#Comment_446216

It was not as easy as i had thought!

You have my deepest sympathies!

Mathew Voth

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446229#Comment_446229

I live near Vancouver, and would love some suggestions on how to get sme money back for my books, and most of them are like new...

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446229#Comment_446229

It was not as easy as i had thought!

You have my deepest sympathies!

Thank you! It is nice to know that there are those who are willing to "Weep with those who weep!" [;)]

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446216#Comment_446216

I, too, am going digital and am giving away or selling very cheaply my print resources that are available to me in Logos or Kindle format.

Last night I began taking books off of my shelf to sell. It was not as easy as i had thought! Fortunately my wife was there to help!

Mark, my wife is actively there to help me as well. I think she is looking forward to more wall space.

Mark Stevens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446283#Comment_446283

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their input it has been greatly appreciated. I am heartily encouraged by people's stories of transition and even their struggles! [:)]

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446401#Comment_446401

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their input it has been greatly appreciated. I am heartily encouraged by people's stories of transition and even their struggles!

I am encouraged as well which helps with the motivation to do what I know should be done.

Old School Saint

I went ALMOST totally digital about a year ago. Not just bible related books but every thing I read. My Ipad has become my libary bookshelf. My only regret is some of my printed books are not yet available thru kindle.

Paul

Truly Loved by Father God!

Unix

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446517#Comment_446517

I don't have physical storage space problems. I have a large apartment for a poor person, and I live alone. But my buddy (who used to be my girlfriend but now doesn't love me anymore, I'm going to wait for her though and see if the relationship becomes well again) complains about my high rent. It's a real tenancy agreement though.

I have 4 duplicates: Mt 8-20 (Hermeneia) and Jude commentaries, NABRE, the 1992 Good News Translation 2nd Edition (both a whole Bible Catholic Edition and a Gospel according to Jn). I've been a Christian for 16 + 1½ years. In between I was meanwhile an atheist for some years as an adult. At the time I became Christian again it didn't take me long to pick up Logos again.

In Logos, I've been getting mainly base-packages and commentaries. As printed matter I've been buying books by respected scholars; Bibles that are not available in Logos and that I actually use; a book from the '80s about Bible versions; a 1937 translation of 1 Clem w/ commentary; a few commentaries one of which I accidentally got for free (Jimmy Swaggart on 1 Cor) - the abebooks seller forgot to charge me; the end-of-2011 Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible; and two volumes from an old RC systematic theology set.

But other than that I have almost all my RC books (except a couple of Bibles) in Logos, they came with the L4 Catholic Foundations base-package (now equivalent to Verbum Basic).

On my Christianforums-profile I've listed most of my top favourite authors (they have a field for filling out that), (one of which is a RC cardinal who died recently and was liberal. I bought a couple of print books by him before he died, he used to work on the UBSGNT team too... I really doubt his books are available in Logos or Vyrso as he was quite liberal (although that is only to some degree reflected in his works). Checking ... no not available in either. (And I don't know does Vyrso have liberal books?))

I don't have much else than Christian books. Well, a good 2011 book on ancient history of Europe (9000 B.C. - 1000 A.D.) which I haven't looked at yet since I haven't found any friend who is interested in history (that should be a Christian friend, I don't have any such Christian friends who really likes books). And I have a print thesaurus and an old Swedish-English-Swedish dictionary.

I love talking about books. Even though I have limited time right now: I have a whole lot of studies during the 1st quarter of 2013, I use available time to read my Christian books, for example in the commuter trains and buses, and often at other times too to get variation so as not to read the school books only. Like I said, I'm looking for friends, see my post: http://community.logos.com/forums/p/62220/439822.aspx#439822

I can see another problem with converting from printed matter to digital books: how to sell the book shelves? You probably don't get money for selling the shelves! So if You are greedy converting to digital is perhaps not for You!

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446540#Comment_446540

Like I said, I'm looking for friends

In that case, I would suggest that you find a good church and stick around for more than the service. I don't say this from the perspective of legalistically saying that you should attend church. That is where you will meet people of similar interest. If you go to bars you will meet a group whose interests may not most likely will not conform to yours.

Unix

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/446547#Comment_446547

They don't talk to me in the Church I've attended during the Fall 2012. Perhaps I should be more assertive, but most of those young people in that particular Church don't stay in this country for a long time, they are here from other countries just to study cheap. I don't have anything against people from other countries, I just wish for a friend that I can keep for a long time and I don't want to be forced to continue communicating ONLY through email. I want preferably someone who has as desk phone.

There are other Churches, but I don't agree with them at all theologically so it's impossible to find likeminded people in them, they are more talkative though.

It's really hard to find an Anabaptist Church over here. There's maximally one and I'm really unsure whether it's Anabaptist - I haven't looked at it yet, first I preferably want to be able to say when I'm studying Anabaptism in college.

In that case, I would suggest that you find a good church and stick around for more than the service.