I don’t mean to distribute, but to scan for myself to read digitally, am I allowed to do that legally and ethically when I buy a physical book or would that be totally unethical and illegal?
Recycling is definetly in the clear, however donating to libraries would be more meaningful; as it offers a chance for more people to read them.
Would it be legal also if I had scanned it for myself only beforehand to access digitally? I also think it’d be more meaningful but the local library here gives you a form to fill if you want to donate anything so that gets me in doubt
Legal? Likely not, as you’re turning one copy into two copies.
Would anyone pursue you? Likely not. No one is going to get a warrant to search your devices to see if you’ve photocopied your books before giving them away; unless you’re sharing the digital files publically.
Do not share the digital files publically, as that is definetly not legal.