or $2.69 + shipping, used :)[1] *OR*, for free, at your local public library [2]...

stephengillie · on July 16, 2012

OR, for free, at your local public library

It's not free.

It's a copy that you and others in your area had purchased for you, by your local library, with money collected through the tax mechanism.

theorique · on July 16, 2012

Relative to the purchasing options, it's free insofar as the marginal cost is zero.

Yes, technically someone - whether a donor or taxpayers - had to buy the book, construct the building, fund ongoing operations, and so on. But any of your tax money that you might have paid for this is a sunk cost - there's no additional user fee you pay in order to take out Seven Habits (or any other book).

quadhome · on July 16, 2012

Many public libraries are private in ownership and sponsorship.

No taxes involved.

king_jester · on July 17, 2012

Such a library is considered private, although such libraries may have public access. Public libraries are considered public by virtue of being publicly funded, partially or wholly, via taxes.