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Plan Your Library
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Many poor purchases result from impulse buying. Buyers should
be able to name their next three purchases.
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Purchase Reference Works
First
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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.
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Avoid Buying a Complete
Commenarty Series
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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.
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Consider Buying from the
Internet & Second Hand Bookstores
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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
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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.
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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.
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Strive
for Balance
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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.
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Examine
the Book or Ask Someone
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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.
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Have
a Loan Policy
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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
to get you started.
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