Unusual bookshelves

A lighter post today, check out these bookshelves:

http://freshome.com/2008/02/25/30-of-the-most-creative-bookshelves-designs/

Of course, most of them are impractical and inefficient, but the designs are nice to look at.

Why Independent Bookstores Matter

http://chronicle.com/review/brainstorm/index.php?id=166

This article touches on something I have thought a lot about; retailers like WalMart, Costco, etc. are the country's leading brick and mortar booksellers (sad, isn't it? Amazon is #1 overall). With megasellers like these leading the way, the titles you see for sale in the store are going to be safe sellers (read: boring) like Nora Roberts, Stephen King, Danielle Steele, etc. If we're lucky, we might even see cutting-edge writing from the vaunted vault of Oprah's Book Club.

The author goes on to argue that it is the job, no, the responsibility of the independents to maintain variety. I couldn't agree more, and would add that it's the responsibility of the used independents to keep the old classics alive, as well as give birth to new classics.

One sticking point in this article:

What about the “convenience” of ordering books over the Internet? Unless you order your fresh fruit over the Web, meet your friends and lovers via Web sites, and would trust your medicines to an on-line pharmacy, you are treating your intellectual life with less respect than you treat your other appetites and needs. What about the book that’s shelved next to the one you were actually looking for — what if that other book is the one to change your life?

I see what she's saying, but it is silly to think shopping online is the wrong way to buy books. Brick and mortars and online sellers work together very nicely - a customer will shop at their local, see a few titles they like, and order online. They usually save a few dollars in the process. Yes, I realize the B&M missed a sale, but the customer bought a book, and hopefully read it. The transaction is keeping the tradition alive, and I am willing to bet the customer picked up a few things while browsing the aisles as well. Bookselling is a totally different enterprise these days. Online booksellers are not going away, and it is up to the B&Ms to adapt.

Nearly every big online bookseller (Amazon, Abebooks, Alibris, etc) suggest other titles you might like based on what you have purchased and what you have looked at.

Children's books are a staple of small booksellers

The Right Mix: Kids and Adults

This article refers mostly to new books, and is therefore out of my jurisdiction, but I can still see why juvenile literature remains such a big seller. Younger readers are constantly developing, both in reading ability and in subject interest. As they acquire a larger vocabulary and better reading comprehension, a six year old may like Clifford one week, and Harry Potter the next. (and Gore Vidal the next?) Children's books are usually paperbound and short on content, 10-30 pages. It is easy for a publisher to churn out hundreds of these titles, and in a fashion that lends more towards reading inhalation than book collecting.
We sell a fair amount of children's books, mostly around Christmas time. The difference is that our customers are usually looking for books they read as a child, either for collecting or to pass the title down to younger generations. They are looking for specific titles, editions, and conditions. Our current stock stands at about 15% juvenile, if you count our children's history, reference, and religion sections, as well as our series books like Nancy Drew, etc. In any given month, I would say that maybe 5% of the books sold are children's books, so maybe we should clear that section out or have a sale!

Abebooks to expand their reach

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6528972.html

The Vancouver-based new and used online bookseller, AbeBooks.com, has launched a new sales site called Gojaba.com to serve bibliophiles and booksellers in Sweden and Russia. The site, which will facilitate the sale of used, rare and out-of-print books, was launched today and is intended to branch out to serve other emerging bookselling markets, the next of which will be Brazil.


Gojaba, which will charge a subscription fee to users, is intended to serve the expanding market for online bookselling in these countries. With the flat monthly fee customers can list up to 20,000 books on the site, which does not charge buyers a fee. The site, currently in beta, also does not issue commission fees on any transaction.


Speaking to the new site, AbeBooks CEO Hannes Blum, who called Gojaba's approach a "simple no-frills" one, said the company hopes to "help buyers find books in markets where the online book trade is developing."

I have mixed feelings about the international market. It is, at the same time, easier and harder than ever to sell books overseas. USPS has made customs issues, packaging, rates, and online tracking easier than ever. On the other hand, credit card verification, email scams, and other pitfalls make it tougher to know your books will arrive in safe hands. We ship overseas everyday, and 98% of it goes wthout a hitch. It's that 2% can hold up an order for weeks.

Book conditions

Know what you're getting when you buy a book! I can't tell you how many times a customer in the store has scoffed at a book that is listed in 'Good' condition because they didn't didn't understand it was at the lower end of the scale. So let's get these terms out there, shall we?

These are quoted directly from abebooks.com, one of the largest used book resellers out there:

Condition of a book is usually in the form of VG/VG, Fine/Good, VG/--, etc. The first part is the condition of the book, the second is the condition of the dust jacket. If a "/--" is present, it usually means that the dustjacket is not present.

New - A new book is unread, in print and in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages.
As New - To be used only when the book is in the same immaculate condition to which it was published. There can be no defects, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dustjacket (if it was issued with one) must be perfect, without any tears.
Fine (F or FN) - Approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. For the use of the term Fine, there must also be no defects, etc., and if the jacket has a small tear, or other defect, or looks worn, this should be noted.
Very Good (VG) - Describes a book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.
Good (G) - Describes the average used worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted.
Fair - Worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, jacket (if any), etc., may also be worn. All defects must be noted.
Poor - Describes a book that is sufficiently worn, to the point that its only merit is as a Reading Copy because it does have the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.

It should be noted that many dealers will also use a "+" and "-" system to further explain the condition. For example, if a book is very clean, tight, bright, and crisp, but has a small imperfection, they will use VG+ instead of VG. We can't quite commit to calling it Near Fine, but Very Good doesn't quite do it justice.

Hope this helps in your next search.

A possible solution to the textbook epidemic?

Via Murray State...

Even though textbook rental programs can save college students anywhere from $400 to $800 a year, many universities still only offer textbooks for purchase, Southeast Missouri State University bookstore Assistant Manager Laurie Taylor said.

Jack Vaughn, director of the University Bookstore at Murray State, said many factors contribute to the fact that the bookstore does not offer textbook rentals.

"It would literally cost millions of dollars to start a rental program," he said. "On top of that, new editions come out every two to three years and professors change their required texts. Very few schools use a rental system - that should tell you something."

According to the National Association of College Stores, in 2006 "textbook rental services were offered only by 1.8 percent of NACS member stores in the U.S and Canada."

SEMO is one school that has always had a textbook rental program, Taylor said, and it's not suited for every university.

"We advertise it as a scholarship for every student," she said. "Instead of spending $600-$1,000 a year on books, our students average around $185."

Perhaps not. These poor college kids. Even with the proliferation of online textbook sellers and resellers, spending up to $2000 on books they will use for 4 months is ridiculous.

Have a question about your books?

This site gives you all the answers: http://www.rbms.info/yob.shtml

1. What makes a book rare?

Millions of books, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, and broadsides have been published since the invention of printing more than 500 years ago. Only a small portion of these pieces, however, would be considered "rare" by specialists. In simple terms, books achieve a degree of rarity only when demand exceeds supply. Unfortunately, there are no easy formulas for determining rarity.

2. What makes a book important?

People value books either because of their contents or because of their physical characteristics. First editions of important literary or historical works and initial reports of scientific discoveries or inventions are prime examples of books that are important because of their contents. Illustrated books that give a new interpretation of a text or are the work of an esteemed artist are also valued. Books that were suppressed or censored may be both important and scarce, since few copies may have survived. Physical characteristics, such as a special binding, an early use of a new printing process, or an autograph, inscription, or marginal annotations of a famous person, may also contribute to a book's importance and its market price.

3. Does scarcity increase a book's value?

A book known to exist in only a few copies may have significant monetary value if collectors prize it. Searching the Internet using services like bookfinder.com, AbeBooks.com, or ABAA.org can give you an idea of how many copies of a book are currently being offered for sale. However, a book without important text or distinguishing physical characteristics is likely to have little economic value, no matter how few copies survive.

4. Are all old books valuable?

Age by itself is not enough to make a book valuable. The importance of the text, the condition of the book, and demand for it will determine the valuation of an old book. However, certain categories of books are generally more sought after, including all books printed before 1501, English books printed before 1641, books printed in the Americas before 1801, and books printed west of the Mississippi before 1850.

5. Where are rare books found?

Because books are portable and durable, rare books can turn up anywhere, from well-ordered private libraries to attics, basements, garage sales, and increasingly on Internet bookseller and auction sites. Books considered rare by collectors and librarians may be found together with more common books. Experience and specialized knowledge are often needed to discriminate among them.

6. What is the difference between a rare book and a second-hand book?

A second-hand or used book is a previously owned book that is not an important edition and has no special physical characteristics, such as binding, provenance, inscription or association with important previous owners. Market prices for second-hand or used books are typically modest.

7. What is meant by a book's condition and how does it affect its value?

Condition refers to a book's physical appearance and the completeness of its contents. In general, the better a book's physical condition, the more it will be worth. A book in "fine" condition will be complete and show very little or no wear. A book with loose pages or a worn binding will be considered in "poor" condition. Missing pages or illustrations are a major fault that will make most books almost valueless.