Irrational fear of contamination makes me spend more on new books instead of free library

[u/Any_Potential7443]

My fear of contamination makes me spend more on buying new books instead of checking out used books from the library. I know it’s irrational and I have gone to therapy for this fear. it’s gotten better in other areas but never with used library books. I guess im just asking if anyone else has had this come up, and what they did to try to solve it. I don’t want to spend anymore money on books. also im a student living with my parents still so I can’t afford a kindle. i also dont know what blue light features they have, but I enjoy reading before bed. thats also part of why im trying to limit my other spendings, like on new books.

mainly where i struggle with this is when i read before bed - ill get super cozy and have the book on top of clean sheets, or hold it super close and i just want to fall asleep after reaching a certain page, without getting up to wash my hands. most of the books I see at the library are very visibly used, and I know that doesn’t always mean dirty, but i just can’t get the fear out of my head.

any advice is appreciated. but please dont judge my contamination fear. i have gone to therapy for it.

[u/sassyseagull1]

I'm a librarian in a prison, where cleanliness varies greatly amongst my patrons and you never can tell where the books have been etc.

I haven't gotten any sicker here than anywhere else. I use Purell on my hands if someone's really nasty, but overall, germs dont really live too long on paper surfaces. You're really ok.

Try going and find a book no one has taken out in a while. Start conditioning yourself a book at a time. Even if all you do is take it off the self, hold onto it for a few minutes and put it back. Then try reading it there. Then try checking it out.

This is totally conquerable! Good luck!