eBay

faithsbks · ‎06-23-2021

Ebay is at risk of becoming a vehicle for the sale of stolen library books, if it is not already. Old books with library markings, often valuable ones, are frequently listed for sale on the Antiquarian Book site. Such books are typically marked as "Ex-Library" with pics included showing such markings. But in every case the markings should include a "Discard" stamp showing that the Library itself removed the book from its collection. Often

such "Discard" notices do not appear in the listing. This very likely means the book was stolen. Ebay should have a rule that no library book may be listed without a photo showing the Discard notice.

new search experience is a bad experience, another example of fixing something that isn't broken

1tuna · ‎06-23-2021

as far as I know librarys are getting rid of books by the thousands and dont want old books given to them.

some folds treat a library like a dump and are incensed when they give the books away

I think those discard stamps in the book are treated just like tracking and are getting skipped

I am sure ebay might say something and will do nothing about it

they do not care about library books

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Anonymous · ‎06-23-2021

Libraries in my area get rid of books all the time and they do not use discard stamps. They have book sales open to the public where they sell not only donated books, but books they weed out of their collection to make room for new ones (complete with library markings) and I've never once seen a Discard stamp. I've been to library book sales in several counties.

dbfolks166mt · ‎06-23-2021

There is no way of telling how much stolen property flows across eBay. Ironically Amazon does have a policy to this effect. But even with the rule there would be nothing preventing the buyer from simply not listing the book as "Ex-Library". The seller could also simply obtain a DISCARDED stamp and stamp the books. You can get the stamp at a dozen different places online, including Amazon.

2013grotz · ‎06-23-2021

Like was said by @Anonymous , I'll confirm lots of libraries give away or sell books, cds, or dvds they simply no longer want to make room for newer stock items they are able to acquire. In fact, the local libraries have been a great source of those things to me in the past before the virus became a big thing. They will often have their distribution stamps on them and will not be removed or further defaced for the obvious damage that would cause, as most all library stock is barely "Acceptable" anyway by the time they're done with it.

biggymoe · ‎06-23-2021

I have purchased books from the local library when they have their sales. The local library stamps "Withdrawn" inside the front and back covers. I have listed them as "Ex-Library", but have never thought about showing the "Withdrawn" stamp in my listings.

I would venture a guess that the vast majority of "Ex-Library" books were obtained legitimately, but no doubt there are some that were stolen.

forward-motion · ‎06-23-2021

This very likely means the book was stolen.

But you don’t know if they are. Might want to check that first.

maxine*j · ‎06-23-2021

Many libraries do not stamp a book as discarded or withdrawn, do not mark through labels or barcodes, do not remove the RFID label (although they deactivate it), or in any way indicate that they have de-accessed the book. My local library system doesn't.

Anyhow, I could buy a "DISCARD" or "WITHDRAWN" or any other rubber stamp myself, mark through any stamps or barcodes, tear out the RFID label, or whatever, to make any book appear to be one a library has taken out of circulation.

Most libraries are dumping vast numbers of books every year, and spending their limited budgets on computers, e-book subscriptions, event hosting, website maintenance, and the like, to meet new demands from the public.

So, most of the ex-library books you see for sale are perfectly legitimate. Now, does the occasional stolen one end up for sale on-line? I would imagine so, as does every other kind of stolen item.

=

2013grotz · ‎06-23-2021

@maxine*j wrote:
Most libraries are dumping vast numbers of books every year, and spending their limited budgets on computers, e-book subscriptions, event hosting, website maintenance, and the like, to meet new demands from the public.

This underscores another point. My last set of library pickups happened to be one that was completely getting rid of their physical book stock in favor of a e-book provision service. They had no distribution stamps whatsoever like OP indicated (who's going to go through the WHOLE library and do that?) and the only way you could tell they were library books were the check out cards and the library name stamped on the books. The whole situation was a "take what you want, we want it gone" thing, including the shelves once the books disappeared. Alas, I couldn't take a lot of advantage of it because I would have needed a warehouse to store it all. But point is, these opportunities come up.

luckythewinner · ‎06-23-2021

Ebay is at risk of becoming a vehicle for the sale of stolen library books, if it is not already.

eBay is at risk of becoming, and already is, a vehicle for selling stolen everything. Just like Etsy, Bonanza, pawn shops, flea markets, and yardsales have been. Forever.

But in every case the markings should include a "Discard" stamp showing that the Library itself removed the book from its collection.

The libraries in my town and two neighboring towns have book sales every year to sell off their discarded books. None of theses three libraries stamp those books as "discarded".

And think about it - if a thief is going to take the time to buy a rubber stamp to mark his stolen books as "Ex-Library", he could just as easily buy a rubber stamp to mark them as "Discarded".

IMHO your entire premise - that all libraries are stamping discarded books as "discarded" an books without such a stamp are "likely stolen" - is simply not accurate.

2013grotz · ‎06-23-2021

Another point I just thought of on this: I have books up for sale on my account right now full of "From the personal library of ... (fill in the name of the person) " ink stamps in them. Would it be necessary that this person that bought the ink stamp in the first place buy a "Discard" or "Withdrawn" stamp as well when they (or their family upon the passing of this person) chose to get rid of these books?

katzrul15 · ‎06-23-2021

Several local libraries here have huge summer sales, including 1 at the fairgrounds. Books are sold by the box and they may or may not be stamped. There were no sales last year due to the Pandemic. We have attended several this year - the last day of the sale at the fairgrounds, we paid $3/box.

It isnt just public libraries dumping physical books, university libraries are as well and local school systems. Their "media centers" have very few actual books and the ones we picked up from a local intermediate/middle school - none were stamped discards.

Every week at book club at the library, there are free books piled on tables at the entry ways. We pick up every large print book we find to sell. Free is good for acquistion cost and no one cares they are ex lib. These libraries are dumping books at rates I have never seen- our media centers are about an immersive experience. Not so much about physical books any longer.

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terrycece62 · ‎06-23-2021

I have been a reader for most of my life and even volunteered at "friends of the library" when I lived in the dc-metro area for several years

a massive amount of donation from public often did not make it into the library circulation at all. some of these books make it briefly and then discarded no doubt due to having multiple donations of the same book.

Some are in circulation for a long time and then given away or sold at book sales.

As stated in previous posts stolen library books are possible but rare at best

br7.62 · ‎06-23-2021

have you seen the prices of used books including shipping on ebay? lol theyre like $3.62 i have no idea how its even their time to package it let alone steal it. doubt its to big of an issue...