I received a book last week and just go around to open and begin reading it.  I noticed that the book had a library tag on the cover and a folder card inside (for check out).  I emailed the sender to find out if the book was sent in error and needed to be returned to the library if they are the owner of the book.  Has anyone else had this happen to them?  What is the correct thing to do?

Ex-Library books are allowed to be posted on PBS, so you might see them once in a while. I'm sure there are a lot of them posted. Lots of libraries sell of their duplicates or books they no longer want to carry. They can pick up a lot of money by their FOTL (Friend of the Library) sales.

Sometimes they stamp "Withdrawn" on them, but not all libraries do that. Sometimes they just draw a line through the ISBN number on the back so it won't be scanned back into the system. I don't know that any of them take out the pockets. They basically just sell them 'as is'.

My friend gets the books sold by the library, either at the FOTL sales or just put out for sale on a shelf when the libary doesn't need them anymore.  I'll get them from her, and then when I'm done they end up on PBS!  I have run into one member requesting they did not want these types of books.  So it should be fine unless you specifically don't want them anymore.

I've heard of folks checking with the branch of library to make sure that the book has been withdrawn.  Our FOL puts a marker line through the barcode.  Some libraries use the "discard" or "withdrawn" stamp.  There is one online used book store that has a high percentage of ex library books. (Better World?)

Ugh are library is aweful with the withdrawn markings. The put those black marker W's all over the frickin' book.  In the spine, the page edges over every library marking on the front and back cover.  Ruins the book so I rarely buy the withdrawn ones.