There are these nifty new things called 'databases' and when combined with another recent invention known as 'subject headings' make it fairly easy to search through a library.

There's no guarantee that you'll be able to get a book you found.

One word, or rather acroynym - ILL

And having borrowed a book, you've committed yourself to returning it within a specified timeframe.

Computer renewals - until someone else requests the book, also from their desk. If I actually had all the books I've ever checked out of libraries my apartment would be wall to wall books.

Major libraries are one of the world's greatest treasures. But you're right, they are expensive.