![]() ![]() Libraries maintain detailed records of deaccessioned books so that subsequent owners can ascertain that the book was not stolen from the library. How do I know a book was properly deaccessioned? In some cases, books may be deaccessioned because they're “out of scope,” that is, they fall outside the library's areas of specialization. Most commonly, decommissioned books are duplicate titles. They're usually much more interested in gaining shelf space. Contrary to what you might assume, libraries almost never sell books to raise money. It's a bit more complicated for institutional libraries, which also have to balance the research interests and other needs of their patrons, along with their own space and budget constraints. Private collectors may refine their collections or shift their focus. Where do ex-library copies come from?īoth private collectors and institutional libraries deaccession rare books on an ongoing basis. It's important to remember that plenty of books are marked “ex libris,” but that doesn't necessary add value to the book (and can actually decrease the value of the book if the marks are obtrusive). For example, volumes of Umberto Eco that came from James Contursi's personal library may be more valuable because Contursi was Eco's friend and bibliographer many of these books, such as the copy of Opera Aperta pictured at right, are inscribed to Contursi by Eco. In other cases, dealers may indicate that a book is “ex libris” because they can trace the book's provenance to a specific individual. In some cases, the words “Ex Libris” will even appear on the volume's book plate. “Ex Libris” means “From the Library of” in Latin, and it's used to describe books that came from someone's personal library. Generally rare books are not circulated, so they tend to bear fewer markings those that did circulate can make acceptable reading copies, but their condition is usually not good enough to make them desirable among serious collectors. Every library has its own methods for identifying books in its collection, so library marks range widely. It generally bears the marks of the library, which may take the form of stamps, embossed seals, written call numbers, or even a glued-in pocket for a check-out card. What is an ex-library copy?Īn ex-library copy is a book that once belonged to an institutional or public library. Collectors have varied reactions to the ex-library copy, and it's important to make an informed decision before you add ex-library copies to your own personal library. If you've taken up rare book collecting, you've probably encountered the phrase “ex-library copy” or seen the shorthand “ex-lib” in a book description. ![]()
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