More people checking out the library to save on books, DVDs

Still, bookstores and publishers alike should be thankful that there are still people such as Laura DePalma, a 27-year-old English teacher who was taking her students to the Central Library on a recent Friday. She said she never checked out books from the library for herself; she only bought them, even though money was tight.

"I'm really broke. I can't go out on weekends anymore," said DePalma, who was holding "The Crying of Lot 49," which she'd bought that morning, between two sheets of paper so she wouldn't get fingerprints on it.

She estimates she has five bookstores' worth of books at home because she's been buying dozens a month since she was in high school.

Despite the economy, she said, this year isn't any different.

"My parents don't want to do gifts this year to save money," she said. "But all I want for Christmas is one book."

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Penny Wise is a street-level

look at how Southern Californians are stretching their dollars in a sputtering economy.

alana.semuels@latimes.com