Borrow it
Find it at your library.
Every book we recommend can be borrowed before it's bought. Check what your local library holds, read it online, or find the nearest branch — no purchase required.
Start here
Look up a book
Enter a title or ISBN and we'll point you to your library's holdings.
Libraries near you
WorldCat searches thousands of library catalogs at once. Set your location and it shows which nearby libraries hold a copy.
Search WorldCatRead it online
Open Library, from the Internet Archive, lets you borrow many titles digitally for free and shows every edition of a book.
Open LibraryFind your library
New in town, or not sure where your nearest branch is? Enter your address or ZIP and the Digital Public Library of America points you to the public libraries that serve your area.
Find a libraryWhy borrow first? A reference book is worth living with before you commit to owning it — and a library that gets used is a library that stays funded. If your branch doesn't have a title, ask about interlibrary loan; most libraries can bring in almost any book within a week or two, for free.