I use the public library, too. In my readings, I often find books that are in my Must Have category. I buy on Ebay, at Amazon, and Half.com. Another place to buy good used sewing and quilting books is on the yahoo group, Sew Its For Sale. Check it out, great bunch of sewing gals.
As much as I love my fabric stash, I love collecting books. Having my very own library is very special to me. Cooking and quilting books are one of my joys!
Sometimes, I will use a pattern in one of my books to make a quilt, but most of the time the books just lift my spirits and inspire me. I also like reading about antique quilts and the women who made them. Barbara Brackman is a great quilt historian; I especially like her books.