What do with Mother's library?

EconomicsGirl

I wonder if an organisation like the National Trust might appreciate them as they have lots of period properties they could go well in and also sell second hand books.

Katychaos

When a dear friend died we asked the local library if they were interested. They took the books, sorted through them and selected ones they thought would be of interest to borrowers/in good clean condition. We then had a stamp made and stamped inside each of the books with a message saying who they had originally belonged to and that they had been donated in the hope that others would enjoy them. I have had people mention that they are reading one of the books which used to belong to her. Novels not wanted by the library were given to a local hospice and an old persons home - we also stamped them. It was a lovely way to give the books an extended life.

getmore4less

pick a couple of the first editions.

try to buy the same on the internet.

the try to buy mindset often finds value quicker than a try to sell mindset.

if you don't want the ebay hassle any real auction houses nearby.


How long would it take to go through and get the ISBN list of all the books

Jackmydad

I'd have thought that if they are all Victorian novels with some first editions they are going to be worth something. Depends on who the novelists are and which books. Early works in first edition by a particular writer who became popular later tend to be worth more, as in general not so many of a first edition were printed.
I'd certainly do what has been suggested, and see what some of the books would cost to buy.

PasturesNew

I think the shelving route is the way to go.
If you go in and get the books out and onto the shelves, then you can simply take a photo of, say, 1/3rd of a shelf at a time and then go home to look them up at your leisure and ask the opinions of others about what you've got.

Somebody yesterday linked to some great/strong easy shelving that requires no "building/fixing" except a mallet - I bookmarked it as that sounded useful to know to me.

Here they are, £31 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01L20YXZE

If they're out then you can access them easier to sort out for resale or into categories or whatever. While they're in boxes it's all "just too hard" and you can't see what you're doing.

As I see it your requirements are:
- to spend as little time as possible physically in the space as it's overwhelming/upsetting/boring.
- to know what's there
- to be able to list them either in a spreadsheet or drop lists into groups online for discussion
- to be able to easily find any book again
- to be able to see, organise, sort, re-sort, categorise and recategorise repeatedly

You need to KNOW you can "think of a book, dash off to the unit, walk in and find it within 2-3 minutes" ... not "think of a book, go to the unit - and have to open and sort through 5-6 boxes until you find the one you thought you meant"

littlerock

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

Marmaduke123

If you decide to give them to charity, stick with Oxfam, and make sure they go to one of their bookshops. They have specialist volunteers who will be able to value each book and make sure they are sold for the right price.

If you've got time and energy to do it yourself check on Abebooks to find the going price.

martinthebandit

Marmaduke123 wrote: »

?.....stick with Oxfam.

Just out of curiosity, why stick with Oxfam?

Marmaduke123

martinthebandit wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, why stick with Oxfam?

Because they have dedicated bookshops and proper systems for valuing books. There may be other charities which have the same, but I'm not aware of them. It would be a shame if this library was sold for less than its proper value, which might mean private individuals rather than a charity would benefit.

I'm not saying the OP should give the books to charity,, just to be aware if that's the choice

martinthebandit

Marmaduke123 wrote: »

Because they have dedicated bookshops and proper systems for valuing books. There may be other charities which have the same, but I'm not aware of them. It would be a shame if this library was sold for less than its proper value, which might mean private individuals rather than a charity would benefit.

I'm not saying the OP should give the books to charity,, just to be aware if that's the choice

Fair enough.