Stolen library books

[faithsbks]

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.

[iart]

"Discard" is not on all legit library books. We often buy directly from library books stores and rarely do they have any discarded markings. So your basic premise is wrong.

[soh.maryl]

Several local thrift stores here accept donations of books.  One store prices them at 90 cents for hard backs and 60 cents for paperbacks, "unless marked otherwise".  As far as I can tell, there are very few that are "marked otherwise".  Most of my extensive library has been sourced this way.  I don't think I will ever stop buying actual books or reading actual books and I bet I'm not the only one.

Digression:  Our local GW has an "outlet" store where stuff is just tossed into bins.  It's amazing what I find there.  Recently a whole raft of children's books that were like brand new and 50 cents each.  A two year old great granddaughter is enjoying them when I baby sit one day a week and has broadened her vocabulary considerably by identifying the pictures.  I bet her entire personal library here did not cost more than 6 or 7 dollars.

[soh.maryl]

And I'm still not sure how the OP has determined for sure that the books were stolen.

Our local library has a book sale twice a year (but not during the pandemic).  Many books at that sale are obvious library discards, but aren't marked as such.  

[luckythewinner]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

And I'm still not sure how the OP has determined for sure that the books were stolen.

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The OP has not determined they are stolen. 

The OP is simply drawing a flawed conclusion from a faulty premise. 

[craft-stash]

Old News....

This was made inta a Movie  called

AMERICAN ANIMALS 

based on a true story of a 2004 University  Hiest.

Sorry I  just don't forget anything 😎

[soh.maryl]

Isn't that about the same thing? Like jumping to conclusions without any evidence. 

[coolections]

Ebay cannot, and does not worry about evey listing just because it is a library book . Libraries around here have book sales once a year. Your worried for nothing and actually most collectors hate library books. They want the real deal without a library stamp.

[dogchow747]

Recently here, A library employee was caught selling stolen toner cartridges from the library system.

Over $50k worth. Where did he sell them??? You guessed it. Here. There is so much theft, places like facebook marketplace and letgo are inundated.  Another article yesterday about stolen high and low end bikes disappearing and being sold hours later on various places.

Its bad. I get where you are going, but it is a hard area to enforce.

[dogchow747]

I have been to the GW outlet here in Austin.

It is usually crazy (like a pride of lions fighting over scraps from a gazelle carcass)

They push the big tables out and folks go nuts.

Used to find a few ok things, stereo stuff would be smashed up.

[kh-ornesh]

Hi everyone,

Due to the length of time that has passed since this thread began, we have locked it from future replies. If this is still an issue that warrants discussion, don't hesitate to begin a new thread HERE.

Thanks.