Why you might buy used books
- When the library doesn’t have enough copies
- When you want to keep a copy of the book with your own notes and scribbles
- When a new book is not affordable
Considerations when buying used books
The fastest two ways to find used copies are using Amazon.com or Ebay.com. The reason I use those two sites for used books only as a last resort is that you end up buying through a “middleman.” With Amazon, this is not true with new books. But with used books, part of the profit of the book goes to Amazon and part goes to the partner (“seller”). Neither Amazon nor Ebay buy, collect, store, and directly sell used books. Therefore, if there is a problem buying a used book from Amazon, for example, it can result in finger-pointing with Amazon blaming the seller and the seller blaming Amazon and no resolution.
Be aware that both Abebooks.com (a used-books site) and Goodreads.com (a book review site) are both owned by Amazon and are sales funnels to the Amazon site.
THEREFORE, I begin looking for a used book on several separate online used bookstore businesses. You will likely need to try several used bookstores (online and/or off line) before you actually find a copy of that for which you are searching.
By far, most used bookstores are for-profit businesses. Some of those go out of their way to operate in socially responsible ways and to give charitably. I have listed a few of those sites below. A few used bookstores are run by charities. I have listed a few of them below as well.
Try socially responsible, for-profit online stores when buying used books
- THRIFTBOOKS
- Search & Buy: https://www.thriftbooks.com/
- Learn About Thriftbooks: https://www.thriftbooks.com/about-thriftbooks/social-responsibility/
- BETTER WORLD BOOKS
- Search & Buy: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/
- Learn About Better World Books: https://cares.betterworldbooks.com/
Try charity-operated online stores when buying used books
- MORE THAN WORDS – Boston Metro youth oriented charity
- Search & Buy: https://www.mtwyouth.org/collections/mystery-thriller-suspense?
- Learn About More Than Words (Boston Metro): https://www.mtwyouth.org/pages/model-impact
- GOODWILL (Beginning to incorporate local units into a national megastore)
- Search & Buy: https://www.goodwillbooks.com/
- Learn About More Goodwill Books: https://www.goodwillbooks.com/about-us
Try local physical stores when buying used books
- ANNIE’S BOOK STOP. This is a chain of franchised shops. Our local North Beverly location at 132 Dodge St., Beverly is a gem. Park and enter from the rear of the store is easiest. Bring in your used books for credit towards future purchases. The franchise owner can explain.
- SECOND GLANCE THRIFT SHOP, BOOKS SECTION. Located at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester, MA; Open Wed-Sat, 9am-5pm. About 25% of the Cape Ann Food Pantry supply and distribution costs are provided by profits generated by the total sales from the Second Glance. They have a good selection of used books at good prices… but not too well organized. Still, it is worth stopping by every few months!
Beyond the reserved books at the circulation desk, and buying used books, what else can I do?
(1) Buy e-books to read on your phone, computer, iPad, Kindle, Nook or other device. They are definitely less expensive. Other advantages include finding passages quickly using “search,” marking and printing valued passages from the book, adjusting font size to your daily needs, and more.
(2) “Borrow” totally free books to read on your phone, computer, iPad, Kindle, Nook or other device. Below arte listed three ways to do this. Two of the methods listed include a link to an instructional video to help you use the resource. Depending on the book title, you may also be able to access free audio versions of the book. In all cases, if you feel a bit overwhelmed with any of the below options, you can make an appointment with your library expert, in our case at Manchester Public Library, that is Maddy Willwerth, and she will step you through anything you want to know concerning these alternatives in a one-to-one tutorial.
eBooks on Hoopla. I found at least two of our 9 books on this site. Here is a video that explains how to get started. You will need your library card number and associated pin number. Step-by-step video aid.
Internet Archive. I found at least five of our 9 books on this site. Here is a step-by step video I made in 2020 when the pandemic began, and borrowing books was difficult. Either after watching the video, during watching the video, or instead of watching the video, you can use this PDF showing the same exact steps described in the video.
Overdrive. This is similar to Hoopla, except that if someone else has “borrowed” the electronic copy, then, as though it were a physical book, it is not available and the words “WAIT LIST” are shown above the book graphic. I found three out of our 9 books on this MVLC site, but only one was immediately available. You can start your use of Overdrive from this library page: https://mvlc.overdrive.com.
