Ten Tips to Build the Book Collection You've Always Wanted

Lessons of experience from 40+ years of book collecting. Build it on a budget. Find hidden treasures. Avoid overpaying. Beat the professionals at their own game. And have fun while doing it.
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#booktube #bookcollection #bookcollecting #rarebooks #childrensbooks #fantasybooks #fantasy #sciencefiction #scifi #classicbooks #horror #literature #thriller #suspense #booktubesff

[@aden4043]

Why is this man has the most soothing voice I've ever heard 😮

[@asdisskagen6487]

That's the first thing I thought when I clicked on the video! 😂

[@LeeKempter]

@@asdisskagen6487 Is this the guy that had a program set in a library (the one I remember is Prester John oh and one he did in NY walking outside). Is this the same guy ? I don't have his name to search it out.

[@asdisskagen6487]

@@LeeKempter I'm sorry, but that description is not ringing a bell.

[@aaronhaerle8954]

😂

[@Bored_Barbarian]

Literally yes

[@astronomicafilms]

I collect ex-library books as often as possible: the library I haunted as a kid was a special place for me, a place I'd go to get lost when I felt down on life. My goal is to recreate that special place. I love all the library stickers, and LOVE if the book still had the card in it so I can see who checked it out and when. Also, I feel like I'm saving an old book and giving it a new home, which makes me happy.

[@thelibraryladder]

Children's books comprise the largest genre in my collection (~3,000 books), many of which are library discards. Most hardcover copies of children's books from the 1930s-1990s were sold to schools and libraries, so it's often very difficult find copies that aren't ex-library. Like you, I was motivated to put together a collection of the books I enjoyed as a kid, particularly when I discovered my local public library removing them from their own collection. Cheers!

[@rmartel919]

What a great idea.

[@dkibs2473]

How do you get the libraries stuff off it without damaging the books?

[@AlexanderTheEvenGreater]

@@dkibs2473 I've often wondered this as well! Perhaps you just can't. I don't really know. ;-)

[@annied1827]

​@@thelibraryladderhi, I hope your happy and well and living your best life 😊 I have a question if you don't mind, how do you find out anything about books that you can't find anything about them ?? I also collect books, I have to say im very jealous of your libary, I also have a libary but only have about 3000 books but its still officially a libary as i have over 1000 books, that also means my kindle is also its own library 🤣. I actually many multiple copies of the same book because I have crazy ocd book issues, if I love a book I must have it in all formats hardback, paperback, graphic novel, illustrated edition, collectors edition, anniversary edition, pretty new covers, box sets and when possible signed first edition, im sure you get the picture . If im buying new I always buy from amazon as they seem to get all the first editions so all my harry potter books are first edition, all 80 + of them , please refere to my crazy ocd book issues 🙈. But I have found that every book I've got off amazon has been first edition so its worked so far 😊The last book I got was a 1982 first edition copy of war horse, I got very lucky and only paid £50 but that because its a ex libary book, i know ex libary books bring down the value but I just wanted it as its one of my favourite covers and I wanted one to go with my other 6 signed first editions of the same book lol . I always advise check charity shops and always check the first 3 pages as the charity rarely check to see if they are signed. I got 2 signed first editions for £2 for both a couple weeks ago.ive also picked up many other signed first editions and valuable vintage books this way. Anyway back to my question , sorry i got distracted. I have a beautiful children's book called childhood in perfect condition it has a red cover and just the words childhood on the front in gold. When I say beautiful condition, i mean, as in it looks brand new even though its from 1800 !! But I can't find anything about it anywhere and I've been searching for years, I've asked on collectors sites and they can't help either , so I was wondering if you had any ideas 🤔 and also I will also point out harry potter are the only books where I have over 80 copies, I usually only have 4-6 copies if I have multiple copies of the same book, so yes im crazy but not totally crazy, for exi have 6 copies if grimm fairy tales my oldest copies are 1903 and 1906, 6 copies of war horse all signed first edition, 3 copies of watership down 1 signed first edition and a collectors edition, so it's not quite as bad as it could be, I collect what I love, so all my books I have read or plan to read, I try get signed copies of my favourite ones, I must have over 200 signed first editions, I will buy special edition when I can too, I have a collectors edition if beedle and bard that I waited 10 to find that, I now have that book in every UK and American editions and those are counted among the collection of harry potter books lol now on search for the replica copy of the monster book of monsters which will probably take me another 10 years lol, i also live collecting vintage childrens books just because they are so pretty. I don't buy books because of their value as I'll never sell them, my kids will have a nest egg when they do sell them after I die so there is that I suppose. 🤔 Ok I must stop waffling on m, I tend to get carried away when talking books 📚 anyway take care and if you have any ideas where I can find out more about my childhood book or where I can find out more please let me know 😊

[@captaingrumbletummies869]

I have to admit, when I first started collecting, I bought books that I felt I “should” read. I didn’t care about condition or edition, I just wanted to be able to say to myself, I actually read all the classics. But many of the classics were a chore to get through and it made reading something I began to dread. I was drowning in books I didn’t actually care about. One day, I stumbled on an old sci fi book at the thrift store. I fell in love with the cover art and gave it a shot. It was fantastic! After some soul searching, I cleared out my old collection and started buying what I actually liked reading. Seems silly now, but if I had seen this video years ago, perhaps I could have skipped all that nonsense.

[@thelibraryladder]

Great story! I can empathize somewhat. I'm a lot more focused in my collecting now than I was when I first started decades ago. Thanks for sharing!

[@Cakewalkingbaby]

What was the sci-fi book you loved so much?

[@captaingrumbletummies869]

@@Cakewalkingbaby Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. The old paperback I found had THE coolest cover art and that title just caught me. Embarrassingly, it was the first C.S. Lewis title I ever read. I liked it so much I tracked down a set of the Chronicles of Narnia books and read them all as well. But that first sci fi paperback find opened a gateway that introduced me to authors like Stapledon, Niven, Clarke, Haldeman, Bradbury, Harrison, Burroughs, and soooooo many more.

[@Cakewalkingbaby]

@@captaingrumbletummies869 Thank you so very much! I will look into that book. I haven't read a lot of science fiction but I definitely like the genre.

[@darcyperkins7041]

​@@captaingrumbletummies869I've borrowed "A Grief Observed" and have just begun reading it. When I was in elementary school the teacher used to do Friday afternoon reading time. One of them was "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Others were the Roald Dahl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory books, Thornton W. Burgess in the lower grades, Jacob Two-Two and the Hooded Fang, and some others whose titles have escaped me.

[@murph_archer1129]

I'm not much of a collector but your collection is insanely impressive

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks, Murph! It's been a labor of love for decades.

[@bobtarr2539]

I am so glad that I found your channel. I have been collecting SF & Fantasy books for over 50 years. I have a small number of hardback and trade paperbacks, but the bulk of my collection is mass market. Early in life that was all I could afford and I just continued to extend my mass market collection. I love the cover art on those old paperbacks and I particularly enjoyed the old Ace Double Novels. I've now been trying to fill in my gaps in those books. Thanks for all of your book collecting tips and please keep the channel going!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I agree that the cover art on a lot of vintage MMPBs is terrific and very collectible, even when the books themselves might be only mediocre. I'm also partial to the cover art on a lot of older pulp magazines. I've framed some of my favorite old magazine issues, and they hang on my walls.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

The sad part of finding a treasure trove of books at a thrift store is the thought at the back of your mind that these books were in a loved collection and when that person died his family thought it was detritus.

[@thelibraryladder]

That thought has crossed my mind on many occasions.

[@adamnesico]

No, when they think they are detritus they go direct to the dumpster. Thatthey sold them at least ponts that they thought someone can still enjoy them.

[@nap871]

That's the case with most things. You really don't own anything. It's all borrowed and temporary in the end even if you possess something for decades. See this all the time at estate sales.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

@@nap871 That is true of course, but the collecting of things does give life a certain meaning as a goal. The problem I have is when I complete a goal, I have ennui.

[@The-CoffeeMan]

Its not sad. Because now they go to a new loving home. Not everyone has an appreciation of books and the fact that they took them somewhere where somebody can find them and enjoy them is a good thing… Sad would be if the family threw them in the trash and they went to a landfill.

[@brandybarris3252]

I am swooning over your channel and working my way through the videos and comments. I’m learning a ridiculous amount from both. I’m not a newbie, but I’m taking notes like a school girl. Thank you for the brilliant content and for sharing your library. If you ever decide to do classes on book care, repair, insider tips, more on collecting, a membership…I’m in! In the meantime I will continue to enjoy your content like a fanatical bookish geek that just wandered into a book laden estate sale after winning the lottery. Gushy run on sentence is intentional. 😊 ❤📚❤📚❤📚

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks for the enthusiastic vote of support! It's always wonderful to encounter people who love and enjoy books as passionately as I do. Your suggestion about offering classes is an intriguing one that I hadn't really considered before. I'll give it some thought. Thanks again and welcome aboard!

[@happymaskedguy1943]

The books I collect right now are those which I think will give me something back - be that knowledge, personal enjoyment, expanding my horizons, and aesthetic value.

[@thelibraryladder]

Those sound like great reasons to collect books. Good hunting to you!

[@iluvsakuraandsyaoran]

I'm not necessarily motivated by having books that are worth a lot, but I love hardcover, well made books because they're just lovely and made to last. I'm extremely jealous of all your lovely hardcover copies of books!

[@pioneerpublishinggroup]

Great video, fellow collector and seller here! Your point about collecting books that genuinely make you happy resonated with me - it's like choosing friends who truly understand you. Your tips are spot-on, especially about being patient and hunting for those rare finds. It's like a thrilling detective story where every book is a clue to a larger literary puzzle. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@thelibraryladder]

In another life, I would have loved being a book scout for a rare book dealer. The hunt for the books is part of the fun. I'd probably struggle as a professional book seller, though, because I'd grow too attached to my inventory. :D

[@Zarred]

I am currently around 1500 books in my library. I have become pretty proficient at rehabbing some ex-library ones and I tend to buy bulk at book fairs and then extras or others that I don't keep or sell I also use a website that allows you to mail books to other people in turn you get a credit to order books from other people. I started just wanting to collect the books I haunted my public library for as a kid and now it has taken off. My next big book fair run is in may and I usually get enough to make back what I spent and still pick up books for my own collection!

[@thelibraryladder]

That's great! It sounds like you've already got a good handle on how to build a collection on a budget (and have it pay for itself). What's the website with the barter/scrip system? I'm not familiar with it. Thanks!

[@Zarred]

​@the library ladder paperbackswap, you pay to ship to them and they pay to ship to you when you order something. Media mail usps rates aren't bad. You can also make a "wish list" so that if the books show up on the site depending on your place in line it will alert you and hold it for 2 days until you say you want it or to pass on it.

[@thelibraryladder]

@@Zarred Thanks for the info!

[@spinstercatlady]

I tend to read from just a few genres and sub genres (historical fiction of the Victorian gothic genre, children's classics and picture books and classic women authors), so my collection is pretty niche which I love. You have the most calming voice btw - would be perfect for storytelling!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! That's the best part of book collecting -- curating the books you love. Classic children's books comprise the largest part of my collection, owing to my voracious reading habits as a kid, when I read almost anything I could get my hands on.

[@groofay]

As someone who's recently gotten into collecting physical books, Thriftbooks has become a good friend. I recently got a first US edition copy of Diana Wynne Jones' The Time of the Ghost, in beautiful condition with its dust jacket, for under $10. And of course I found it at the right place at the right time. But I will be trying some of these other tips for sure. Thanks!

[@thelibraryladder]

That's a great find! Thriftbooks can be a wonderful source of used books, and its notification feature is useful for setting up long-term searches for specific titles. I've had mixed results from it in terms of the accuracy of book descriptions and the condition in which books arrive. I've received a few ex-library books that weren't described as such, and its practice of shipping books in unpadded plastic bags often results in damage to the books' corners in transit (which is more of an issue for books purchased in Near Fine or Fine condition). Happy hunting!

[@groofay]

@@thelibraryladder Thank you for those caveats, I will keep them in mind while continuing my browsing!

[@doorran]

good advice.. I buy Dresden Files hardcovers right away... because the print run doesn't last very long and soon the book is selling for 8 times when it sold for fresh. I try to get old hardcover of classics... because I hate what some people are doing to original text and censorship or "modification for modern audiences".

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I don't know if my advice is the best advice, but it has worked well for me over the years. I too prefer reading texts in their original form, the way the author intended them (warts and all).

[@n0cloo]

Thanks for the intro videos, as a long time collector, I'm still learning something new. It's fun to see similar books in both our collection and envying some of the signed copies you've.

[@rickkearn7100]

This post is in my favorites now. Thank you for these thoughtful and helpful tips. I have employed a few in the past, and have also made the mistake of buying less than excellent condition books which is a mistake that I will not repeat thanks to you, TLL! You do have a magnificent collection and a stunning library. Your passion is much in evidence in that alone, not to mention your acumen and your top-shelf posts! Cheers.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thank you for your very kind words! Collecting books has been a passion of mine for decades. I designed the library myself and had a woodworker build all the cabinetry several years ago. It's a 30'x15' room full of bookcases and books (and a 12' ladder, which can get a little scary when retrieving books from the upper shelves). It's also an acoustical nightmare when I film my videos, because of all the hard, flat, reflective surfaces. Cheers!

[@rickkearn7100]

@@thelibraryladder Fortunately, you have an ASMR-like voice which no doubt lessens the reverberations! I hope you won't mind if I indulge a personal fantasy of mine, which is to own such a magnificent library with the classic ladder, vicariously through you! Double cheers.

[@tnjp5]

I hit subscribe the moment you began speaking.......it's the voice for me!!! Total AMSR 💯!!! I am a huge book collector and totally enjoy visiting thrift shops and used book stores often for my next great book!!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! You sound like someone who knows how to find value in book searches. Welcome aboard!

[@rokentom3926]

Ah yes the video I’ve been waiting for. Thank you very much for all the insights! Certainly made my day.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I'm so glad you found it helpful.

[@kniknayme9865]

Great vid . When I first started going out "into the wild" I didn't have a list. I've found once you accumulate a fair amount or have a big wish list it comes in very handy.

[@redesignedbydelicia3052]

I’m enjoying your videos! I’m hoping to open a used book store in my town in the next few years. Until then I will continue to rescue discarded books and get them into the hands of folks that will enjoy them. I resell online, have started, collecting for myself and would appreciate your recommendations for 10-20 titles for young readers that I can keep listed on my site. I’m looking for low cost versions of the classics to keep an accessibility for everyone. Thank you! Loved your shelf tour of Children’s books the most so far!

[@taog-htao]

your voice is INCREDIBLE, and its nice that you still interact with comments here despite this video being a year old :)

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! My voice gained a little extra resonance many years ago after a surgical procedure that provided additional ventilation for my cranial cavity. ;D

[@kimboosan]

Thank you for the insight! I've wanted to be a book collector for a long time but it always seems out of reach but clearly I have just not been to clever about it. :D

[@thelibraryladder]

It's never too late to start, especially if you're focused on collecting books you truly enjoy. The other key tip is to have patience and wait for the right books in the right condition and at the right price. Even if your collection stays small and occupies only a single shelf, it'll be an awesome shelf that you can feel happy about. Cheers!

[@msjoanofthearc]

Incredible, you certainly know the market. Everything you mentioned I have found to be absolutely spot-on. As an avid collector myself your presentation and information are brilliant!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I've been a book scavenger for more than 40 years. It's become more challenging in recent years, though. The rise of freelancers starting home-based businesses selling books as a side hustle has created both opportunities and difficulties for collectors seeking bargains. On the one hand, those small sellers are making it easier to find scarce titles (because they're doing the legwork of scouting estate sales and thrift shops), but they're also driving up prices by imitating the pricing strategies of the high-end professional booksellers. Fortunately, they also tend to be open to negotiation on price since they often purchase their inventory using (expensive) credit cards, necessitating a steady turnover of their inventory to make a profit.

[@paulharvey5505]

10k books, you are my hero. Beautiful shelves as well. Love your channel And absolutely, collecting what you enjoy is the best advice

[@thelibraryladder]

Thank you so much!

[@beethoven2351]

Excellent! Many of these tips are things I've learned myself over the years...often by trial and error. However, several of your tips are ideas I didn't know or never came across. Thanks!

[@Wordhopper1990]

This is a great video! I collect very select books only (but I’m very much a completist within the parameters I set). One additional thing I have started doing, however, is buying foreign language books as souvenirs whenever I travel. I look up the most important works of literature in a certain language or country and try to find them, slowly building an original language collection of the best world literature. Some of these I can’t read yet (like the books I have in Maltese, Gaelic, Finnish, Bosnian, Ki’chee, Quechua, Arabic, Xhosa, Sotho, etc) but I like them as travel souvenirs as well. Also, since these tend to be the celebrated books, some of them have a translation in another language that I can read at some point (as an ebook).

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! That sounds like a fun approach to collecting books, and if it inspires you to become a polyglot, all the better. :)

[@Wordhopper1990]

@@thelibraryladder Thanks! Yeah, I know my way around plenty of languages already and this is a fun and fulfilling way for me to combine my passions for reading, languages, and traveling into one activity. It’s interesting to switch between trying to specifically get the US hardcover edition of one my favorite author’s books for my collection and getting the greatest book I can find in Croatia or in Oman, no matter the edition.

[@karlstriepe8050]

I live in LA. The god of books in this city is Michael Silverblatt. Dude rents two apartments! One for him, the other, in the floor below, for his library! Baller.

[@thelibraryladder]

I feel deeply honored that I brought to mind the great host of Bookworm, even if only in a small way.

[@SolarLabyrinth]

I sort of became an accidental collector. I gradually accumulated so many books that one day it hit me and I said," I guess this is my thing now." I wish you had a tip for how to store more books than you have room for. I joke with my wife that it's not going to be more kids that forces us to move into a bigger home; it'll be my book collection. Thanks for the tips to exacerbate my issue.

[@thelibraryladder]

Alas, I built a house to store my books, but now the house is full. :D

[@Ganondorfdude11]

How many books do you have to have in order to have a "library" I wonder?

[@SolarLabyrinth]

@@Ganondorfdude11 I think it's one of those "it's not the size that counts it's how you use it" kind of things.

[@LCD72]

@@thelibraryladder The limits to growth in any ecosystem can not be overlooked even when it comes to book collecting!

[@dreamakuma]

I fell into book collecting by accident. It's turned into quite the fun hobby. Your tips are amazing, but I felt I should pass another few tips for anyone who checks the comments later on. Just because a Book is rare, doesn't mean it's innately valuable. Just because a Book is valuable doesn't make it rare. An old book isn't innately either of those. One of the treasures of my collection is an older collection of stories by a well known author that came out shorty after he passed. I absolutely love the book. It's published shortly after WW2, making it nearly 70 years old. by what I can tell it's the third or fourth collection of his works put into hardback. I can find it pop up fairly often on ebay for under $20.

[@thelibraryladder]

Great points! I agree with all of them. Thanks for sharing, and good luck in your book hunting. :)

[@jakeg3427]

Bro your voice is relaxing , you could make a killing at ASMR

[@wileyschmitt]

Great advice all around, thank you! And thanx to you I've gone all in on my Michael Moorcock collection, a very fun author to collect to say the least, and with all those cool comic books too.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks, Wiley! I hope my advice in this video doesn''t put a dent in your bookselling endeavors. There's a wide spectrum of sellers between the casual, closet-cleaning variety and the high-end specialists. I so glad you're enjoying Moorcock. All the best!

[@wileyschmitt]

No worries, I was planning on giving similar advice to my subscribers someday, after their interest in books starts coming around. I'm so lucky to live less than a mile from one of the best bookstores (especially price wise).

[@wileyschmitt]

@@thelibraryladder Do you collect the 'NYRB Classics'? I find them every now and then (about one every week or two), and I like the way they look and feel so I find them fun to collect.

[@thelibraryladder]

The NYRB Classics is a great series, particularly for lesser-known older titles. I have several NYRB books, but I don't actively collect them.

[@robertocatrone715]

I love your videos. This one is outstanding. I only have 400 books in multiple genres. However, I do reread them. Thank you.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thank you! I'm glad you found this video helpful. 400 books is a significant amount, especially if they have a lot of meaning for you.

[@AcidGamesYT]

im a collector of old books 1930 and earlier i find these at thrift shops usually before they get thrown out so i love to save them and preserve them. As a history nerd this is one way i can collect historical items.

[@thelibraryladder]

I have difficulty resisting the lure of 100 year old books in any genre. Thrift shops can be a treasure trove.

[@AcidGamesYT]

@@thelibraryladder its one of the coolest things i have started to collect and i am addicted and wont be stopping

[@mickeymikkelson5337]

I am starting very late in my journey of book collecting but I will do my very best and try to build a meaningful collection

[@thelibraryladder]

It's never too late. Best of luck to you!

[@rameyzamora1018]

Very well written & useful video! When I worked in San Francisco there were a number of bookstores that would have author signings & if their work was at all of interest to me I'd make sure to attend, tell them so & get my copy(ies) autographed. I remember going to see George Plimpton & only being able to afford his book "Open Net." When he got to me he said, "A hockey fan!" & I didn't disabuse him of the fact.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks, and great story! Before covid restrictions and precautions paused a lot of the events, I used to frequent book festivals and signings. They can be a lot of fun. I'm hopeful those events and signing opportunities will eventually return as they once were.

[@Cottage-Reader]

Two words, Lemony Snicket! Your voice is perfect for audiobooks😊. Thank you for your tips.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thank you! I've recorded a few classic short stories for fun and uploaded them to an Audiobooks playlist here on my channel. I might do more in the future.

[@AlexanderTheEvenGreater]

@@thelibraryladder You definitely should! ;-)

[@mordaeu1411]

I could listen to this man talk forever. Wish he did narration for audiobooks!

[@smb-zf9bd]

Because we travel, ebooks have become a larger percent of my reading. But there is nothing like a cup of coffee, fire and a good book. I have about 2,000 (constantly donated to the library) in a variety of categories - science fiction, history, mystery, food, science. I've never thought about "how" to build a collection - I simply bought what I liked and lucked out. Yard sales, my wife's aunt died and her kids were going to throw away all the "junk" in her large downstairs. Thousands of books. We loaded as many as we could into the trunk and back seat (500+). Later I found a first edition of Winston Churchill's history of WW2!! My dad was a huge reader and I got his collection. Second hand book stores, particularly huge ones like McKays, are a boon for any book collector.

[@thelibraryladder]

That's a great way to approach book collecting as well. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@ghostlyreads666]

thanks for the addall tip! i'll definitely be using that in the future!

[@AnotherBrownAjah]

My goodness your library seems like such a delightful place to get lost between some bindings.

[@thelibraryladder]

I frequently get lost there. :D

[@Cmdtheartist]

I was only going to listen for a few minutes, but here I am at the end of the video. Really interesting. Thanks!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I'm very glad you enjoyed it.

[@abirsen5146]

What a voice you have sir great...... Classic contents

[@cyntoh9265]

Great video. It was very informative on how to build up a library. I learned a lot. Thanks.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thank you! I'm so glad you found it helpful.

[@ex0t0ttv]

I Collect everything and i am looking forward to start collecting books

[@gidonidus]

This guy has a voice that could tame tigers 😂

[@Cakewalkingbaby]

For me thrifting books has been wonderful for expanding my collection with so many different genres and discoveries while keeping spendings low. The reason now that I buy books new has only two reasons; either I’m impatient (because I consider to find the particular book I want used as highly unlikely, which in some cases admittedly I’ve been mistaken) or the other reason is that I want a particular translation and that can really make a difference in my reading experience. I’d rather spend a bit more money then because the translation can be a make or break it.

[@SFVintageCollector]

As someone new to collecting and starting my own channel just months ago this is great, thanks for sharing - new sub today

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I wish you the best of luck with your collecting and your channel. BookTube needs more coverage of vintage science fiction and crime stories.

[@llchapman1234]

Surrounding yourself with things you love is wisdom for the ages.

[@reading_MOVIES]

I tend to avoid ex library for my collection because of the condition of many of them. But my biggest problem with them is sellers who do not state it is ex library in the description.

[@thelibraryladder]

I agree, and it's a major reason I've learned to avoid buying from some of the major bulk resellers on eBay and on Amazon's Used Book Marketplace. Sometimes ex-library books are almost unavoidable because publishers often distributed early hardcover editions of titles heavily to schools and public libraries (this is particularly true for children's books from the 1930s-1970s), making non-library hardcover copies very difficult to obtain. Occasionally, I'll run across an older ex-library book that never circulated, leaving it in pristine condition with only an ink stamp or two on the end papers indicating it was ever owned by a library. Those are rare exceptions, though. Another problem with buying ex-library books is that sometimes they're stolen goods. Theft of scarce hardcover first editions and limited editions from schools and libraries has become a problem in recent years as collectors seek copies of the early books written by authors who have gone on to become very popular. Those early books often had small print runs, and many of those copies were acquired by libraries. I've even seen libraries foolishly purchase expensive signed & numbered limited editions from specialty presses such as Subterranean Press. New, those limited editions retailed for as much as $275, and on the used market they can fetch several times that amount, because their print runs were very small (often fewer than 500 copies). Little wonder that those specialty editions have quickly disappeared from library shelves and shown up on eBay as alleged "discards."

[@SDC1949]

I was Public Library employee when my kids were young. Once or twice a yr we’d have a sell sponsored by ‘friends of the Library” for as little as .25 per book. I rarely buy brand new books (too costly) so I buy used; My local Habitat for Humanity restores sells books for as low as .25. I recently purchased 16 books for less $5.00. That’s gold. Goodwill Bks range from .99 to 3.99. Also very affordable. You just have to dig a little. Great collection. Thanks for sharing.

[@thelibraryladder]

Friends of the Library book sales are awesome. I’ve discovered many new authors to read as well as hidden treasures among the books sold typically for less than a dollar.

[@General_reader]

I just found a first edition copy of George Orwells 1984 (xlibrary) I paid three dollars at a thrift store

[@thelibraryladder]

That's quite a find! Especially if it still had its dust jacket. I always get a thrill when I stumble across something like that.

[@amberpressley2238]

His voice makes me want to grab a cup of coffee, put my feet up, and sigh contentedly with a smile.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! High octane or decaf? :D

[@WordsinTime]

Very interesting video Bridger, lots of great tips! It made me want to collect more haha

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks, Jonathan! I suspect most BookTube channels don't need encouragement from me to collect more books. Maybe, though, it'll help collectors find more of what they most want, and at better prices.

[@ancv65]

Wow. Great tips! I didn’t see my collection as something to think about, but now I’ll be more careful with my purchases, especially when it comes to preorders and new books.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! Other than receiving a book on its release date, I don't see much value for readers/collectors in most preorders. Preorders are primarily for the benefit of the publisher and retailers such as Amazon by giving them advance information about the amount of demand for a title, so they can decide how many copies to print and what price to charge. The more preorders there are for a book, the more copies in total a publisher is likely to print, which will depress the book's potential to appreciate in value over time. The situation can be different for limited editions, particularly ones that have the number of copies capped up front (e.g., an edition of 500 signed and numbered copies). Preordering those books is often the best way to obtain a copy.

[@cheeseman7300]

Oh, right thrift stores have books! But how do you deal with books from thrift stores? The conditions could vary. That said how do you go about mold or just general book cleaning?

[@BookishChas]

Thank you for all these tips Bridger! I’m always looking for new ways to look for certain books.

[@thelibraryladder]

I'm happy to be of service, Chas! Let me know via the Discord servers we're both on if I can provide any help.

[@BookishChas]

@@thelibraryladder I definitely will. Thank you.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

What a tremendously useful video! Really great.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks, Michael! I imagine Roger already knew these tips, given his [centuries? millennia?] of experience. Stately Vaughan Manor is no slacker when it comes to book collecting (although I was saddened by the understandable pivot to ebooks you announced a few months ago). :)

[@anthonyashley6884]

Thanks for the tips. Your voice and demeanor makes me think of Rod Serling. 😊

[@Donegalwildatlantic]

I do love the classics especially if I can get a hardback copy, I go to second hand shops and can get amazing deals

[@thelibraryladder]

I agree completely. I prioritize hardcover books whenever possible because of their scarcity and durability.

[@jennamakesbugs]

My trick for getting books cheap is to visit a particular thrift store, pick out 20+ books and then wait until the line is really long to check out. They will sell to you by volume rather than scanning them individually to get you through the line faster.

[@thelibraryladder]

That's a very clever trick! Thanks for sharing it.

[@Henri79]

You have featured the books by Tim Powers in a few shots in your recent videos. Powers is an author that I feel has been forgotten to a large degree at least in the BookTube sphere. Hopefully you will someday make a video of his novels as there are some remarkable stories and ideas in especially his earlier works. I would be he has been more influential to many other writers and he is generally given credit for.

[@thelibraryladder]

I agree. Several of Powers' books are among my favorites. I plan to do an overview of his works in the coming year. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@43pages55]

I have mostly reading copies, Books I really like I will collect all the copies I can find. Sometimes I will hunt for a copy with a cover I like. I just love books, not a first edition guy. I prefer trade paperbacks, I find hardcover books cumbersome. Reading for me is about immersing myself in the books world and story while being in a comfortable reading position like my couch or bed, preferably when it's raining.

[@schoo9256]

I mostly collect books with wear too, as reading copies. I feel bad breaking in new copies. And hardbacks are definitely cumbersome!

[@secretsauceofstorycraft]

What a great 👍🏻 video idea!!! I would love to hear how u recommend preserving the books u own. Things like not breaking spines, hardback bs pprback etc 😊

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks, Whitney! I'm obsessive about treating my books with care (even my (paperback) reading copies of favorite books). I nearly had a conniption in graduate school when a housemate of mine discovered my collection of dozens of classic paperbacks in pristine condition. She proceeded to read them all and broke every single spine. I greatly prefer hardcover editions because they're far more durable than paperbacks, but I have a lot of paperbacks too, especially older ones where there wasn't a hardcover edition. As I mention in the video, for hardcover books, the first thing I always do is put a Brodart Just-a-Fold III archival dust jacket cover on it. Those covers are worth their weight in gold for their ability to prevent damage to books and their jackets. Books protected by those covers can withstand a surprising amount of abuse (which is why public libraries and schools use them).

[@cebolaameaca]

I recently acquired a mass market paperback copy of A Storm of Swords signed by George himself. Do you have suggestions for storage and preservation specifically, but also for displaying it simultaneously?

[@thelibraryladder]

Ohhh, that's a challenging question. I assume GRRM's signature is on an inside page and that you aren't thinking of trying to display the signature. I can't think of any way to display an inside signature on a mmpb without significantly damaging the book. In general, mmpb's can be difficult to display well unless they're in pristine condition or have been read very carefully to avoid cracking the spine or bending/warping the covers. And if you're in a humid climate, the covers can absorb extra moisture, causing them to curl outward at the edges (rather than lying flat against the pages), necessitating some kind of chock along the bottom edge of the front cover if you want to display it facing outward. Also, the small size of that format can look out of proportion if it's placed next to larger hardcover books and oversized trade paperback editions. I'd suggest displaying it solo or with a small number of similarly sized books. As far as preservation is concerned, that's also a challenge because mmpb's aren't designed to last nearly as long as other, larger formats. First, don't read it -- get yourself another reading copy, because reading an mmpb is the easiest way to damage it. Also, mmpb's tend to use lower quality paper that gradually darkens with age and becomes more brittle, depending on its exposure to warmer temperatures, humid conditions and UV radiation. If you keep the book in a cool, dry and relatively dark environment (i.e., no sunlight shining on it through a window, and no fluorescent lighting), you'll be able to extend its life significantly. If you're going to store the book somewhere, insert the book into a plastic bag first to protect the book's corners from inadvertent damage. You can buy special plastic bags designed for books of different sizes, but a quart-sized Ziploc bag works well for many mmpbs too. I hope that's helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@Nicole-Leigh]

Hello Bridger! I so enjoy your channel. Thank you for all of the wonderful and insightful information. I love to read and to collect very specific genres. I love hardcovers with dust jackets. Do you have a suggestions for the best place to find vintage YA and classics in great condition? I love the 1940s to 1960s books. The dust jackets are often torn or very tattered and I absolutely love the artwork as well. I am an artist, and I just cherish the illustrations and cover designs as well as a great story! Thank you!!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thank you for your very kind words, Nicole! Collecting vintage books for younger readers (YA and below) can pose some distinct challenges, one of which is that schools and libraries were the largest markets for those books when they were published. As a result, most hardcover copies available today are ex-library books, which tends to lower their price, but also reduces the condition of the books. Likewise, it's often difficult to find vintage children's books in very good or better condition because of the wear and tear young readers impose on them. A third constraint on the availability of mid-20th century books for young readers is that many of the copies originally sold to schools and libraries no longer exist. Libraries routinely discard older books to make room on their shelves for newer authors and titles, and over the years, many school and library copies have ended up recycled for paper pulp if they weren't sold. (Many mid-century titles were purged from library collections starting about 25 years ago when publishers began aggressively emphasizing and expanding the YA and children's book market.) Finally, many mid-to-higher-end professional sellers of used books don't offer children's books other than a small number of the best-known (and most valuable) titles. This can make it harder to find copies of special or favorite books in collectible condition that you're willing to pay extra for. One benefit, though, is that it also reduces competition for affordable vintage copies from other sources. In my experience, the best sources of affordable vintage children's books in collectible condition are eBay, estate sales (often on eBay), thrift stores (such as Goodwill), and public library book sales (which can include copies donated by patrons as well as the library's own discarded copies). In all four, it's possible to buy bulk lots of books relatively cheaply, although patience is often required for the right titles to appear in the right condition and at the right price. Many of my vintage children's books were acquired from eBay sellers who were cleaning out a bedroom or a closet or a basement because their kids were grown and had moved away, or because they were downsizing in anticipation of moving to a new home. Thus, if you find a book on eBay that appears to be a great bargain (especially an auction with a low starting bid), be sure to browse the seller's other auction listings to see what other bargains might be available. Some sellers will entertain bulk offers for multiple books and will combine shipping for multiple purchases. Amazon's used book marketplace and Addall.com also can be useful sites to search for specific titles, but it's harder to find significant bargains there. Depending on your definition of "classic" titles, I'd suggest the same sources for finding collectible copies of those books. Auction houses such as Heritage Auctions also can be useful for finding relative bargains in bulk (although not necessarily cheap). I hope this is helpful!

[@Nicole-Leigh]

@@thelibraryladder Thank you, Bridger! This reply made my day as it is so informative. I really appreciate it. Your points all make sense as to why my passion is hard to come by in pristine condition. Years ago I stumbled across a company that would reprint covers. I didn't reach out to them because I wasn't sure about the ethics and legality. I would think they would need permission from the publisher, author and illustrator to reprint a cover. Thank you so much for the suggestions!

[@thelibraryladder]

For dust jacket reprints, the first place to start is the publisher. Some publishers offer new jackets for older books, although typically not for most titles. You might have to contact their customer service center to find out about availability. Facsimile copies of jackets are generally legal as long as the design/artwork isn't still covered by copyright protection. Books and their jacket designs have separate copyrights, and for titles published before 1964 in the US, the copyrights would need to have been renewed at some point to still be in effect today. In many cases, those copyrights weren't renewed and have subsequently expired. And often the book's copyright would be renewed but not that of the jacket art. Unfortunately, there isn't an easy way to search to confirm what's still covered by copyright and what isn't. In my experience, Facsimile Dust Jackets LLC (dustjackets.com) is a reputable vendor that provides very high quality copies. I've purchased a few from them.

[@Nicole-Leigh]

@@thelibraryladder Thank you, Bridger! I always learn so much on your channel. I didn't realize the jackets were under a separate copyright pre 1964! This is wonderful news! Thank you for taking the time to educate me on this. I will look into the website you suggested as well!

[@mteresa-p7f]

I was looking for an art catalogue from 2019, I have searched high and low but it seems to have disappeared, I located 2 copies at a ridiculous 350 dollars! On e-bay It’s Moroni, the riches of the Renaissance portraiture) , if you ever come across it , can you let me know? I’m a huge Art Book fan. I went to the exhibition in New York,2019(the Frick Museum) Now I’m kicking myself for not buying it then. Thank you for your tips!🙏🐾🙏📚

[@thelibraryladder]

I just searched on addall.com, which turned up five copies for sale by used book dealers. The four hardcover copies range from $385-804, and a softcover copy is listed for $300. Many dealers will entertain offers below their listed price, though, and if you buy it through the marketplace Biblio.com, you can get an additional 10% discount if you join its Bibliophiles Club (which likely would pay for itself on this one purchase). That’s still very expensive, though, so if you want to find a copy at a _much_ lower price, your best option might be to create a saved search on eBay that notifies you of any future listings. It might take years for a copy to appear at a price within your range, though. Also, if you live near a large city with a vibrant arts tradition, you might have a decent chance of finding a copy donated to a local public library for resale. Art and coffee table books are frequently available there.

[@mteresa-p7f]

@ wow! This is fantastic ! I’m going to follow your advise !thank you so much ! Have a phenomenal 2025📚🐾📚

[@cat_pb]

I don’t intend to collect any books unless they are digital📚 but your videos are great

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! And if you ever change your mind, I hope these tips are useful. :)

[@Bored_Barbarian]

14:23 this is actually incredibly useful for any hobby. I may try this

[@thelibraryladder]

It's worked very well for me. I recommend specifying your search parameters with care. If you cast too wide a net and you have a lot of saved searches, you might end up clogging your email inbox with dozens of unwanted notifications every day.

[@BallroomBlitzkrieg]

Great advice, both for young and old alike!

[@carlosandino5524]

Thank you for sharing thees tips. I would love a book shelve tour. Even if it a quick over-view.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I plan to do a series of tours of different parts of my collection. 10,000 books is just too much to fit into a single video. The first tour was last September, when I focused on some of my classic children's books. I hope to showcase another set of bookshelves in the next couple of months. For brief samples from different genres in my collection, I have some short overview videos in my playlists for each genre.

[@carlosandino5524]

@@thelibraryladder love it. Thanks! I do remember the children's book vid.

[@sarahkridenoff3293]

One of the selling points of the house I bought was a room I could turn into a library. I should really count my books to see how many I actually own. Most of my books have come from library sales.

[@thelibraryladder]

I did the same thing in my house -- converted a side room into a dedicated library (complete with a ladder). Library sales are unsung heroes of book collecting!

[@knotslip8862]

Great video and very informative. I'm curious what your thoughts are regarding first editions vs. later editions? Does this really matter when collecting? Also, hardback vs. paperbacks? Thanks!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! Hardcover first editions are typically (but not always) more collectible than later editions or paperbacks. Scarcity and condition are two key drivers of collectibility. Publishers tend to keep first edition print runs relatively small in order to reduce their risk of unsold inventory. Later editions tend to have larger print runs because the book has proven to be popular. It’s also harder to find first editions in very good (or better) condition because they’re older and have had more opportunities to be read and abused). Some books that were first (or only) published as paperbacks can be very collectible as well. The cover art for paperback editions often plays a significant role in their collectibility. Please note, though, that I’m primarily referring to financial value in this response. A book doesn’t have to be financially valuable to be collectible if it has other meaning or significance to the collector. I hope that’s helpful.

[@johncooper8537]

I enjoy the hunt. Sometimes after i finally find what i want i feel a bit deflated. I recover and a new hunt begins.

[@thelibraryladder]

I know exactly what that feels like! :)

[@marylarson812]

Please make more videos, these are the best

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! Are there particular topics you'd like me to explore?

[@GypsyRoSesx]

I love your library ❤ Thanks for the great tips!

[@chucklitka2503]

Great video. My tip is to remember that you might have to move someday, and books get heavy fast, speaking from experience.

[@thelibraryladder]

That thought has crossed my mind on many occasions. I don't relish the idea of moving. Thanks!

[@SgtWicket]

I bought what was marketed as a limited edition of Dune years ago and to this day that publisher appears to be selling the exact same edition. Bummed me out considering the price tag.

[@thelibraryladder]

That's frustrating, but not uncommon with many publishers lately. I've noticed some of the higher-end specialty presses reissuing some limited editions as trade editions later on with much larger print runs, thereby undermining the value of the original limited editions.

[@civoreb]

Been diving into old school fantasy and sci fi lately. My collection has become mostly that in the past year.

[@thelibraryladder]

Sounds great! I'm planning a series of videos in the coming months focused on the roots of both genres that you might find interesting.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

4:16 The setting of this library is soothing. The honey color of the wood finish as it ages. I know glass doors have a purpose and are an archetype for book collectors, but I don't like them. I like wooden bookshelves that are crammed with books, kinda dusty with other interesting trinkets.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I love the look of open bookcases (and I have several), but I hate the damage that dust, pollen and mold spores can cause over time, which is why I have glass doors protecting many of my most collectible books.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

@@thelibraryladder I do understand.

[@georgiafrancis9059]

He should be reading to terminal patients in hospitals across the country......his voice is perfect..... he could be reading the phone book

[@thirdspacemaker9141]

I came to your channel today after Jimmy Nutts mentioned one of your GGK videos. Excellent content! Subscribed! Great tips! I found a few more tips in these comments. I would like to add my voice to those requesting more info on preservation. I would also love to see videos touring your library (not the books on the shelves, but the actual infrastructure, design, layout, accessories, etc.) and on how you keep track of your collection. 10K books is amazing. 🤯 You inspired me to count my collection (1,016). About a quarter of those are paperbacks that I collected in middle school/early high school: Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Star Trek, classics. And probably another 100-200 that I need to cull just because I have no interest in reading or keeping them any longer. I’m working on clearing out some old storage buildings and I think I have more crates of books that I just haven’t uncovered yet. That’s not counting magazines. I have large runs of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine (decades+ with scattered issues missing).

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I'll give some thought about how best to provide more information about the topics you suggested. I too have many older Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Star Trek (TOS) books. About a third of my collection comprises vintage children's books, most of which are from the period 1900-1975. Depending on their age and condition your magazines might have some financial value. Early editions in particular are often sought by collectors.

[@KarloVukosic]

Great video as always, really helpful for someone just starting my collection Long shot, but if anyone here has some recommendations for Europe, spec. Europe Union sites or places to look for books, tnx

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! The website addall.com/used/ allows you to search worldwide. Using its search tools, I've purchased books from Britain, France, Germany and Australia, among other places. I hope other commenters can suggest additional search platforms that are Europe-specific.

[@SolomonAD]

Have you ever read much of Clive Barker? I would love to see your take on his work. Much like Dan Simmons, Barker was compared to King.

[@thelibraryladder]

I haven't. He's high on my list of authors I want to read, though. For many years, I associated him primarily with his (underwhelming) horror films of the 1980s and 90s. It wasn't until much later that I realized his writing far surpassed his filmic output.

[@sylvanyoung]

Thanks for the tips . Now ...do you have any idea where i can get a TARDIS to hold my collection . A bit of humor . ( a bit ) . Space is a problem . Thanks for the video

[@thelibraryladder]

I don't have a TARDIS, but I recently saw some ingenious bookshelves suspended from the ceiling in a small house. Perhaps that might help? :D Thanks for watching!

[@lauratrujillo830]

Does a book that has after market sprayed edges lower the book’s value?

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks for your question! The short answer is "It all depends." In many cases, custom sprayed edges can increase a book's value, but it depends on a variety of factors including, among other things, the sprayed artwork's uniqueness, craftmanship, attractiveness and relevance to the book. I hope that's helpful.

[@HudsonValleyVHS]

I collect primarily Esoterica, Horror, History and Philosophy. I think a good personal rule is to pick an actual number of books (or perhaps an amount of physical space) and to restrict your collection to this previously determined amount. I sell the book I value the least when adding a book to my collection. I promise I am following this rule religiously and not giving out suggestions I am incapable of following my self. I pinky promise.

[@thelibraryladder]

That's a guideline I've lived by (with modest but incomplete success -- perhaps like your pinky promise) for the past 15 years, once I realized I was running out of space for books in my house. I also significantly slowed my physical book buying by shifting to audiobooks for much of my reading and also by reevaluating my priorities in several genres. I mostly ignore popular titles published in recent years until they've demonstrated that they're more than just marketing (and BookTube) hype, which typically takes time and weeds out most of them. I generally try to be very selective and acquire only ones I think have the potential to be classics that will stand the test of time. And about once a year, I go through my shelves and cull the books I care the least about in order to make room for new additions.

[@HudsonValleyVHS]

@thelibraryladder Yes, my pinky promise is an indication that this is a rule that I would like to follow but i'm not as successful at this goal as I would like to be. Like you, I ignore modern hype as much as I can. I no longer pick up every ARC either, the odds are not great and frankly they don't represent what they once did. I did one speculative purchase and picked up the five "Library of Esoterica" volumes released by Taschen. Hopefully they are desirable in a decade and dont age like Time-Life supernatural books from fourty years ago. I would rather buy a vintage Arkham title or a genuine Antiquarian book than purchase a pile of new ones. I even ignore the modern genre private press releases, but they are tempting. I also do Audio books and still use the library, that takes the edge off a bit.

[@gameguru1488]

Some of the tips mentioned are related to stock investment tips.

[@thelibraryladder]

Many of the same principles apply if one is looking for the best value when collecting books.

[@eliut6855]

@0:17 that is a confession, I’m calling the firemen to your house!

[@carlosandino5524]

🤣

[@thelibraryladder]

Fortunately, my house has a sprinkler system, and the books are protected behind glass. :D

[@thirdspacemaker9141]

@@thelibraryladder Have you read the Nick Velvet story by Ed Hoch where Velvet is hired to steal a first edition from a library with a fire-suppression system that locks the library air tight and pumps in a gas to extinguish the flames? (Or was it a Lawrence Block “Burglar” novel that I’m thinking of?)

[@flutebasket4294]

Can I interest you in a 27th printing of Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code?

[@thelibraryladder]

That would be an upgrade for me. I think I have a 33rd printing that my mom gave me for Christmas one year. :)

[@bbeabobea]

This is the first time I came across this channel and I have to ask if you have ever done some voice acting jobs or narrated audiobooks?

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks for asking! At the encouragement of viewers, I tried narrating a couple of short stories last October and I uploaded them here on my channel. They're classic spooky stories if you're interested, and they were a lot of fun to perform. I hope to find time to record more in the future.

[@bbeabobea]

@@thelibraryladder oh that's great! Im going to check those out. You have a very soothing and distinct voice.

[@RedFuryBooks]

This was fantastic - thanks for this!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks, Josh! If I can be of any help in your collecting efforts, feel free to let me know via the Discord servers we're both on.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks, I appreciate that!

[@davidnance9462]

How do you feel about editions like those Easton Press and the like publish?

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks for your question! I'm generally in favor of any edition that is well-made, is reasonably priced and is intended to be read, whether issued by a mainstream publisher or a specialty press. Unfortunately, not all limited or special editions published these days seem to fit all three criteria. Different people collect books for different reasons. Someone who approaches collecting as an investment (in the hope of future appreciation in resale value) likely will have opinions that differ somewhat from those of a person who prioritizes the aesthetics of a book's appearance or those of a completist who wants multiple editions of their favorite books. I own quite a few editions from a variety of specialty presses, but I prioritize ones that bring older, out-of-print titles back into print or that represent the first hardcover edition of a title. As an example, a few years ago Subterranean Press issued a series of hardcover volumes collecting Jack Vance's early short fiction, much of which was readily available only in old paperbacks and pulp magazines. Personally, I'm a little skeptical of editions that seem like they're designed primarily to be display pieces (room decoration) and not necessarily to be read. That applies to Easton Press and extremely high-end specialty presses such as Centipede Press (which often charge $500-1000 for a new book). They seem more like display pieces and trophies rather than books. And from an investment perspective, I'm doubtful of their potential to appreciate significantly in value. I'm also skeptical of the trend in recent years of popular authors double-dipping by releasing high-priced specialty editions of recent titles while their original trade hardcover editions are still in print (inducing collectors to buy yet another copy of a title they don't need due to a fear of missing out). They're trying to manufacture scarcity to drive up the price, but due to the glut of titles being released by specialty presses these days, supply seems likely to outstrip demand at some point, making many (but not all) of those specialty editions less attractive as financial investments today. But to each his/her own. If people find value in collecting them, more power to them.

[@PeculiarNotions]

Thank you for the collection of practical tips.

[@thelibraryladder]

You're very welcome! I hope you find them helpful.

[@skmasih-ulamir]

Oh man Your voice will match with an aesthetic dark theme library 😂😂

[@benpuffer7891]

Do you have a preferred bookcase for those getting into the hobby?

[@thelibraryladder]

Great question. Alas, my answer is a lamentable "It all depends." Depending on (a) the seriousness and scale of your collecting, (b) the value of the books to be collected, (c) your aesthetic preferences, and (d) your budget, there are a variety of bookcases to consider. Perhaps the most common bookcase on BookTube is the Billy bookcase from Ikea. It's an inexpensive, utilitarian model that comes in a variety of form factors and has a modular design that allows expansion and customization over time. Their main disadvantage is that they're made of cheap laminated particleboard, so they're not very durable, and the models with longer shelves will begin to sag in the middle over time if too many heavy books are placed on them. The basic Billy models also are very plain in appearance, which might not match your decorating style. Most inexpensive bookcases suffer from these same flaws, but without the modularity benefits of the Billy. Thus, for basic functionality and for assembling a large wall of bookshelves inexpensively, these might be the best value. If you plan to collect more expensive books (or books with other forms of value that you want to preserve), I strongly recommend upgrading to enclosed bookcases with glass doors. Enclosing the books provides significantly more protection from damage caused by dust, insects, rapid changes in temperature and humidity, water from sprinkler systems in a fire, and even sunlight (if the glass has UV-blocking properties). Many enclosed bookcases also are deep enough to allow double-shelving (two rows of books, front and back), which effectively doubles their capacity, although you'd want to ensure that the shelves are made of solid hardwood or thick, engineered plywood to avoid sagging. Ikea's Billy line has enclosed models, which are among the least expensive available and are somewhat more attractive than the basic Billy models, but they suffer from the same flaws I described earlier and aren't deep enough for double-shelving hardcovers. At the other end of the spectrum are custom-built bookcases (which are what I have in the room where I film my videos -- I designed them myself and hired a custom cabinetmaker to build them). They're deep enough to double- and, in some places, triple-shelve my books. And in-between those extremes, I have some enclosed cabinets in another room that combine the modular design of the Ikea shelving with the solid hardwood construction and aesthetic appeal of higher-end furniture-makers. I bought them from Bassett Furniture as part of their Guilford line of bookcases, credenzas and cabinets about 16 years ago, but I don't think they still manufacture them. They're solid cherrywood, with glass-paneled doors and enough depth to double-shelve books. I covered a ten-foot wall with four panels of them stacked eight feet high (see this photo of a different arrangement of Guilford modules at img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/2/0/9/7/5/7/webimg/892618753_tp.jpg ; I used the top center module in the photo and stacked several of them to cover a wall). So, depending on your objectives for your collection, I'd suggest getting the most versatile and most durable bookcase(s) you can afford. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful. I haven't been in the market for bookcases for many years.

[@benpuffer7891]

@@thelibraryladder thank you for the thoughtful response.

[@megreads9]

Actually i have collected over 20 years of my life some books and i am so thrilled for what i have, i counted them one they are almost 4000 thousands books and i want to collect more but due to economic crises we are facing in Lebanon I had to stop for a while because books now are so expensive and that's makes me frustrated all the time. I am an author and my library should be always updated for my writing but unfortunately i just i couldn't.

[@thelibraryladder]

That sounds like a wonderful collection, particularly if it reflects the things that interest you and make you happy! I hope things settle down soon where you are to permit life to return to normal. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@amarjamakovic1297]

Thank you.

[@GoldSayaProductions]

Speaking of ebay - if you see a book thats too high, watch it. I usually get offers same day and sometimes its a great discount.

[@thelibraryladder]

Great point!

[@amwolfmusic]

I am after a "rare-ish" book, a very niche book about Salukis and the Bedouins. If you look for it on online sellers you will find people will try to sell the book at $500, $1,000, or more but... If one looks among the weeds they will find the author selling brand new copies for $250. Still high but very well below the price of resellers.

[@thelibraryladder]

That's a good example of how reseller prices often are arbitrarily high and disconnected from the reality of the marketplace. Thanks for sharing it!

[@bxnny0374]

PLEASE tell me you narrate audiobooks 😫 your voice is perfect.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! As a themed experiment, I recorded a couple of short stories last Halloween and uploaded them here on my channel. I plan to record more in the future. They're fun to perform.