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I went to a library book sale today, and was surprised at the condition of the books they were selling off. Not that they were bad, but how good a condition some were, some clearly had not been borrowed a lot.
There was a big array of hardback fiction also.
I bought Silverfin by Charlie Higson,the first story about James Bond as a younger person. It is a little worn on the edges but still had the plastic library cover on it. As far as I can see there are no missing pages, just a few corners bent in. Price 30p.
I can understand getting rid of tatty and out of date/ changed system books, but this novel was dated 2005.
Makes you wonder if libraries are getting rid of some books so they can use the space for other things, not neccesarily books.
About five years ago they did start checking prices, but it only tended to be on the older or more specialist books where there obviously was money to be made.
But the modern stuff it's probably not worth it. They want to get rid of all the boxes and trays, so the sale goes from library to library.
The money made does go into the fund for new books, which is never enough for all the requests they get.
I only bought Silverfin because I wasn't sure whether Dominic or Dane would like it. If they did then I'd buy the next one in the series new.
Dane is enjoying it, and when Dominic has finished reading Garth Nix's Sir Thursday, he'll read it too.
I suppose if you want libraries to bring in readers you need new smart books, not faded well worn ones.
I love faded well-worn books! There's something really comforting about them like an old pair of jeans. If a book looks well-read then I'm more likely to borrow it because it is a good indication of its popularity. I've got quite a lot of old library books and I love looking at the date stamps on the inside cover and imagining who it was that took them out.
I agree with you Josie, I don't mind well worn books, there's something comforting and inviting about them. But then we're writers and we love books, any books.
I belong to the Evangelical Library in London. Borrowers sign their name by the date stamp. Sometimes I know the person(s) who have previously borrowed the book. It is sometime since I visited the EL or borrowed books through the post.
This is an interesting concept - so would you browse for a book on the basis of who borrowed it before you and see that as a recommendation? Or perhaps simply the fact that they borrowed it wouldnt be recommendation enough as theres no saying they enjoyed the book!
If you're within easy reach of Petersfield in Hampshire, the Petersfield Book Shop (which should still be there!) is a fantastic place. We used to go there a lot.
That's where I found our oldest book - one volume of The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker which was published in 1783. The Roman numerals actually say 1683, but it's wrong because that's before Tobias Smollett was born!
It only cost a couple of pounds, so how could I resist?!!!
The paper is different (parchment?) and they had a different way of using quotation marks then. If someone was speaking, the quote marks went all the way down the page on both sides, with non-dialogue, such as (he said), in brackets - like that!
I'm a bit of a charity shop fiend myself...just picked up 'The Husband'- Dean Koontz, in pristine condition, in hardback for £2...an absolute bargain, considering the paperback version has not been out long!
Wasn't there an idea a while back that when you bought a book and finished with it you would write your comments inside and leave it on a train, bus, coffee shop or where have you for somone else to pick up. The intention was to encourage reading but it seems to have fallen by the wayside. I picked up one such book on the tube and the comments were very good.
I must be tired, I can't even spell off right.
Just to add, the first year they began selling off books, videos and tapes, they made £2,000.
I doubt they make that now.
I've heard of that book swapping thing, but didn't know what it was called. I've seen bookshelves in a pub or cafe with a notice saying take a book or leave a book for other people. I think it's a nice idea and I'm sure there are websites about it.
Most caravan/campsites in Europe have bookshelves next to the reception and ask people to leave the books they have read, if possible; also, they are welcome to take any left there if they wish. We seem to read most of our books during our holidays, so often leave quite a few. We buy a lot from and give a lot to the local hospice shop, which has a large selection
At one of my bridge clubs we are clearing a storeroom full of books to make room for new tables. It would be a lot quicker if I could stop myself trying to read them all before they go to the charity shop
Comments
There was a big array of hardback fiction also.
I bought Silverfin by Charlie Higson,the first story about James Bond as a younger person. It is a little worn on the edges but still had the plastic library cover on it. As far as I can see there are no missing pages, just a few corners bent in. Price 30p.
I can understand getting rid of tatty and out of date/ changed system books, but this novel was dated 2005.
Makes you wonder if libraries are getting rid of some books so they can use the space for other things, not neccesarily books.
But the modern stuff it's probably not worth it. They want to get rid of all the boxes and trays, so the sale goes from library to library.
The money made does go into the fund for new books, which is never enough for all the requests they get.
I only bought Silverfin because I wasn't sure whether Dominic or Dane would like it. If they did then I'd buy the next one in the series new.
Dane is enjoying it, and when Dominic has finished reading Garth Nix's Sir Thursday, he'll read it too.
I suppose if you want libraries to bring in readers you need new smart books, not faded well worn ones.
That's where I found our oldest book - one volume of The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker which was published in 1783. The Roman numerals actually say 1683, but it's wrong because that's before Tobias Smollett was born!
It only cost a couple of pounds, so how could I resist?!!!
The paper is different (parchment?) and they had a different way of using quotation marks then. If someone was speaking, the quote marks went all the way down the page on both sides, with non-dialogue, such as (he said), in brackets - like that!
Just to add, the first year they began selling off books, videos and tapes, they made £2,000.
I doubt they make that now.