Ok, im not going to post the title of this book, but i need advice....i have a book that was in a lost and found for a considerable ammount of time.  It is a much sought after book, i read it...and i want to post it...but here's the thing: ITS A LIBRARY COPY AND THE LIBRARY IS IN ANOTHER STATE, (info found on website using library name as keyword, not even sure if its acurate)....AND I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD POST IT WITHOUT KNOWING IF IT'S BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THEIR COLLECTION...but i want to be able to contribute it to the population (over 60 readers wishing!!!!!!!!)

any insights would be helpful!   i just don't wanna feel like im comitting a crime (lol)

berries674

Call the library it is from and ask if it has been discarded. Odds are it has and you can post it. Otherwise, send it back to the library and feel good that you helped the library recover its property.

I agree with Melanie.  I'd contact the library and be sure it's a discard.  If so, post it.  If not, send it back to them.

I'm a librarian and I've done exactly what Melanie describes before.  Ask to speak to the Librarian or Collection Manager, and they can get the issue sorted out.  If it is stolen property, they aren't going to blame you and you'll feel better not swapping illegal books :-)

Cheers,

Catt

If it doesn't say that it's been withdrawn or discarded, I would definitely contact the library and find out about it.  Personally it would make me feel better to know for sure, and then if ends up being lost or stolen, I know the library would appreciate your call!  =)  Also in the PBS rules, it says that if you receive a library book that isn't clearly marked as withdrawn, you should contact the library - then if you find out it wasn't withdrawn, you should contact PBS.  It might save some trouble later to go ahead and check!

All the books I buy at FOL sales from the library have nothing to indicate they have been discarded.  Personally, I'd assume it was discarded and list it.    Doesn't hurt to check of course, but there are hundreds of library books out there with NOTHING to indicate if they are lost or been discarded.

If you call or email the library you will feel so much better about posting.  Chances are it is a discard or lost so long that they got a new copy and don't need yours. 

Cost of call ($1.00)

Peace of mind (Priceless )   :  )

And if you call, you can pencil in on the inside cover that you checked with the library.

Well I'm with Cozy in that-I buy a lot of books from the library and they are never marked as withdrawn.  But I would at least try to contact the library it's from to check.   Someone may have been traveling and lost the book.  I just found a library book of my kids from the library in the town we moved from this summer.  3,000 miles away!  I have to call them and ask if they want me to send the book back or a check. 

I also buy a lot of books at local FOL sales, and they are never stamped with 'discard' or 'withdrawn' on them. Sometimes they draw a line through the barcode with a marker, but not always. I sure hope that not everyone I send those books to calls the library to inquire--they'd be inundated with calls! LOL Of course, finding it in a lost and found, that's a bit of a different situation and I would probably check too, before posting the book. But I've never personally called about an ex-library book I've received that's not marked.

Cheryl

The one reason I suggested to call the library is situation in which it was found. I wouldn't call on one I received from PBS, but I would call on one that I found in a lost and found.  Most of the library books that I get at FOL sales that have not been marked are obvious discards, they are damaged, worn, or they are donations not discards.  With a popular book there is no harm in verifying it is a discard rather than swapping a book that still belonged to a library.

All LIBRARY books that I purchase from the FOL or their sale are marked 'NO LONGER PROPERTY OF XXXXXX .  Those that were donated and were NOT library books are not marked as such, but all ex-library books that I've purchased are.

Another thought is that if the book was lost and the person had to pay a fine or a purchase price for the book, they might? get their money back if the book is returned.

Pat

Depends on the library if they take the time to mark it as a discard or not.  Some do, some don't.  Some mark some books but not all.   If it's worrying you, it's worth a call to the library.

If it is a discard, write "discard" across the library name or such so the next person doesn't worry.

Thanks!!! I have contacted the librabry and verified that the book has been discarded!!! I have peace of mind, and i'll be posting it shortly!!!

FYI: Another way you can check without having to call the library is by seeing if they have an online catalog, most will show the barcode numbers for books or you can at least see if a copy is listed as lost, then make the call.

I've done this with several books sent to my library by mistake.

CHECK WITH THE LIBRARY!!!!!!

You can't assume that a book is a discard.  I understand that when people buy books at FOL sales sometimes the books aren't marked, but that's no reason to assume that a book you found elsewhere is a discard.  My friend purchased a library edition at a local thrift store to post and it turned out that the book hadn't been withdrawn, someone had just donated it to the thrift store instead of returning it to the library.  He got his account suspended for swapping what was technically a "stolen" book.  It was an honest mistake, and after explaining his account was reinstated, but this should prove that you should definitely NOT assume that a book is a discard unless it clearly says so or unless you've purchased it directly from the library itself.

I'd definitely check with the library in this specific instance.  It only takes a minute. 

I came across a library book in my bookcase several years ago.  I knew I didn't check it out because I'd never been to that library!  I called them to see if they were missing the book -- they had no idea what I was talking about.  After about ten minutes of trying to explain the situation, the lady told me, "Oh, we don't keep those kinds of records."  HUH?  You can't tell me if you're missing this book?  She wanted me to drive out to the library -- about 50 miles -- so they could "look at it."  It was at this point I gave up. 

You never know what kind of response you're going to get -- but I'd at least try.  :-) 

This has come up occasionally over the years.  My hometown library seldom ever used their discard stamp.  My daughter's library seldom did.  And then I went to an FOL sale at another town, and nothing was marked discarded.  But do what will make you feel best.

Better to check if you feel unsure, than to come here one day and find the person you sent it to is calling you a thief.  Someone pretty much did that once, and it was a discard.