[1dry]

That's great of you to buy the book as well, major kudos. I would bet most are not as altruistic as you.

Do not traditional libraries and their ebook lending systems, however inconvenient, provide the same service? All one needs to do is be patient until the book you are interested in becomes available. In the meantime, maybe you can check out a different book that is available that you might not have discovered otherwise!

[zolland]

What is the difference between me waiting for a single book at my library to be passed between 5 people, and me just reading it online?

[beermonster]

Presumably the library paid for their copy?

[Edit]

Also check out OverDrive / Libby

[bheadmaster]

The library would've paid for the copy regardless of whether or not the person actually borrowed the book - the act of borrowing itself makes no difference.