Checking books out from the library is usually preferable. If your library doesn’t have a specific book on their shelves, most libraries offer free interlibrary loan services. If you can’t figure out how to use ILL through your library’s website, just ask a librarian for help. That’s what they love to do.

I use ILL regularly at my library. I read a lot of obscure books that had small printings 40+ years ago, so the books are really expensive to buy and few libraries have a copy. I’m compiling some bibliographic info for a few authors, so I really need specific editions of books. But libraries do interlibrary loans for all kinds of books, not just special/rare books. And the service is usually FREE. I’ve never paid a fee for the 20+ books I’ve gotten through ILL.

EDIT: When I buy books, I tend to buy used books from local bookstores. All three in my town have websites, so i can search their stores from home and read the description of the book’s condition.