I'm trying to disconnect myself from Amazon as much as I can. Where this burns me is purchasing (used) technical books. I've been trying to leverage my local library system more but the majority of the technical, CompSci-esque books are laughable. I found one book that's good and I'm working through it, but most of the stuff there is "Windows 8.1 for Dummies" and "Hosting your own blog" sort of content. I think the next most-technical book I've seen is
I know there's the traditional MSRP avenues for new books, such as traditional book sellers, but I'm hoping I can find a marketplace for used, worthwhile technical books.
Any pointers?
Thanks!
You can make a request for specific collection additions especially if you explain how bad their approach is. A standard library is going to need to keep books for 20+ years, and tech books just can't work that way -- many libraries just give up, especially on emergent technologies & cost vs. demand -- and that will be their "we can't", but that's a false assertion!
A libraries most popular books will get checked out hundreds of times (high turnover) and so they try to stay within those domains, but they also pride themselves on having a comprehensive collection.
College libraries on the other hand usually have copies of textbooks in those topics you might be interested in.
Depends on the libraries budget, the bigger the city the more they can afford to equip a specialized a branch. Some libraries in wealthy countries have community makerspaces, 3d printers & fabrication tools you can check-out and so you might talk to your librarian and see if they are interested in a tech hub (sometimes there are grants they can apply for to get this equipment).
I got my library to start carrying video games when I was a kid, I later went back and helped them start offering free public Internet access (i'm old)
I.e. Libraries find it difficult to stay current with new technology and rely on their patrons helping them. Reference librarians are a special class of amazing people.
100% of libraries have a form to request books, anybody can fill that out. I'd suggest one more step - request an appointment with the head librarian (not somebody on the floor, but somebody who is in a senior administrative position) and make a case. You'll probably unwittingly help some under privileged kids or homeless people gain useful skills & capabilities.
Librarians dislike tech support, they don't want to become genius bars and technology is hard for them -- there are ways to resolve that with online communities and whatnot. See if you can find a younger "next-generation" librarian who can evangelize the idea with you.
Failing all that ..
Online knowledge systems such as OReilly etc where you pay one price, get full access. I also really like the Udemy, etc. online video series and the ability to time-shift & consume those classes, patreon channels.
Failing that z-lib.org is an amazing place to grab e-books if you just want to browse the content quickly. ;-)