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Plan
Your Library
Many poor purchases result from impulse buying.
Buyers should be able to name their next three purchases.
Purchase
Reference Works First
Almost everyone is tempted to buy the book that looks interesting
or will help in teaching a lesson or series; those kinds of purchases
have their place. However, their usefulness usually ends after one
reading. Reference works have continued value and promote further
growth. The first tier of reference works should include: a good
study Bible, several translations, a concordance, a Bible dictionary,
and a synopsis of the Gospels. A synopsis shows the particular emphases
of each gospel writer; it differs from a "harmony of the Gospels,"
which mixes the gospel accounts together.
After this first tier of reference works, buy commentaries on
the most-studied books of the Bible. Thus, the first two commentaries
should probably be ones covering Genesis and one of the Gospels,
with special preference to Matthew, Mark, or Luke, since they overlap
so much. Purchase both detailed and quick reference books, since
sometimes depth is necessary, and other times a quick answer suffices.
Avoid
Buying a Complete Commentary Series
Resist temptation again. Many people are tempted to buy a whole
set of commentaries. Unfortunately, from any one series, you will
usually get from three to six quality volumes for each testament.
Instead, plunder the best ones from each commentary series. The
dust jackets may not match, but you will definitely be more satisfied
in the long run.
Consider
Buying from the Internet & Second-band Bookstores
The most cost-effective purchases come from used bookstores. For
instance, such stores often sell many different translations at
minimal cost. Real "finds" come to those who frequent
these stores regularly, such as weekly.
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Other
"Finds" Make It to the Internet
See Abesbooks.com
and Ebay's
book section.
To browse a wide selection of books and Bibles, see Christianbooks.com.
Try BestWebBuys.com,
which searches the web for the lowest price and which is usually
30-50% less than the local bookstore.
You may, however, wish to support the local economy, not wish to
pay shipping, or need the book immediately; if that is the case,
local bookstores often have the desired volume.
Strive
for Balance
Despite the previous emphasis on reference books, a good library
needs a variety of works. Seek out quality devotional books, as
well as those that focus on theology, history, and literature. Introductions
to devotional books and recommended devotional books are found in
the Recommended Reading at the end of this volume.
Examine
the Book or Ask Someone Knowledgeable Before Buying It
You will save dollars and heartache if you use a book before you
purchase it. You can borrow it, check it out from the library, or
read a section while standing in the bookstore. In the absence of
such direct access, seek out someone knowledgeable or read a review;
Leaven, for example, consistently reviews books on particular biblical
books or topics. By taking these precautions, you can save yourself
from a book that is either too technical or too shallow.
Have
a Loan Policy
Be generous and allow others to use your books. However, you may
avoid buying the same book again if you write down the borrower's
name and loan the book for a specific time period.
With all this discussion about building a library, some individuals
and churches may want to begin immediately! Here
is a list.
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