Are library discards acceptable? I got one the other day and it fit the rules but I guess I wouldnt send one out so I dont appreciate getting them.

Ex-library books are perfectly acceptable as long as they meet PBS guidelines. I have gotten a few and don't mind them at all. In the future if you don't want to receive, I would suggest putting an RC on your account stating 'no ex-library books please'.

Yes, library discards are postable.  From the HELP documents:

Yes, decirculated library books may be swapped at PBS.

• Ex-library books often have stamps inside or on the binding: this is fine.  

If you do not wish to receive ex-library books, you should put this into your Requestor Conditions in your Account Settings.

I don't "get" the RCs that say "no ex-library" books (unless someone is gifting the book) -- they read just the same as any other!

People have personal preferences Jeanne, that's what RC's are for. 

Some people like paperbacks, some prefer hardcovers.  Others like that new size of mmpb, while others like tradesize.  Some don't like the extra library markings, and some members feel like they don't really own a book with 'Bookcrossing' stickers.  We're all different people with individual preferences

I prefer not to get ex-library books, because I don't want them for my keepers.  And, since I don't always know whether a book is a keeper or not before reading it, I just prefer not to get them.

I have bought some best sellers at library book sales, and after reading decided I wanted to keep them.  I then posted the ex-library book here and then put the book on my wishlist to get a "clean" copy.

It is really only a matter of preference like Denise said.

Thankyou everyone!

" Others like that new size of mmpb" .... what is mmpb?

Mass Market Paperback.  As opposed to trade sized.

But now there's two sizes of mmpb, the traditional 'pocketbook' size and the newer size that is a bit taller.

I don't understand why anyone would mind getting a library book.

This is a USED bookclub. 

If you want/need a new book----buy it!

People order books for different purposes.

Most of the books I order are paperback fiction. I don't care if those are ex-library or not.

Some of the books I order are hardcover non-fiction that I am planning to keep or give to someone else. Since they are going on my bookcase in public areas of my house, for those I do not want ex-library.

I shop at FOTL sales a LOT, and I do the same thing. if I spot paperbacks that I want to read or that I know are Wish Listed, and they are ex-library, then I buy them. When I spot non-fiction art books, or history books, or something like that, I will usually buy it if it is a donated copy but not if it is ex-library, unless it is so rare that I would be unlikely to see another copy. In which case I will still only buy it if I think I can remove the library markings sufficiently.

I buy plenty of new books! I like to keep my favorite authors in business, and I actively choose to purchase quite a few books brand new.. But I certainly don't see why I shouldn't request other books in the condition in which I want to receive them.

Some people don't like the look or the feel of a discarded library book.  And that's ok.  I wouldn't suggest telling someone that since this is a used book site, they should either accept whatever they get or buy new.  That's what makes this site so wonderful.  It has basic postability rules and if you want to go further than that...just put it in a RC. 

This place has flexability but not in a bad way.