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Library Topics
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Address: 301 N.
Pennsylvania |
Welcome to Celebration of Love Week, which stresses the value of
love in making the world a much better place in which to live. Tomorrow is Be Electrific
Day, which honors the birth of Thomas Alva Edison in 1847.
Thursday is the birth anniversary of Abraham Lincoln (1809) and,
appropriately, Lost Penny Day. Put all of those pennies you've got stashed away back into
circulation by giving them to a worthy organization in honor of the man depicted on the
copper coin!
Friday is Blame Someone Else Day and also Get A Different Name Day.
Those who dislike their names or simply find them boring can adopt the moniker of their
choice!
Saturday is Read To Your Child Day, the motto of which is "Show
your kids you love them: Read to them." Monday is the formal observation of the
birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The Library will be closed on Monday,
February 16.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Enjoy a variety of Valentine activities at all of this week's
storytimes: Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and Saturday (Valentine's Day) at 10:00
a.m.
BOOK TALK
Library Director Betty Long provides this week's book information. You
cleaned out your attic and found some old books that you think might be valuable. How can
you find out? The following guidelines come from a brochure titled "Your Old
Books," produced by the American Library Association.
The age of a book has very little to do with its value. Some broad
dates of likely importance are all books printed before 1501, English books printed before
1641, and books printed in the Americas before 1801. These dates are rough guidelines and
are always subject to overriding factors of intrinsic importance, condition, and demand.
Condition is a major factor in determining a book's value. Condition
refers to the book's external physical appearance and the completeness of its contents. A
book in "fine" condition is complete in all respects, has no tears or other
signs of misuse or overuse, and is in original or appropriate and intact binding. Loose
pages are a defect, and missing pages or illustrations are a major fault that will make
most books almost valueless.
Is a first edition valuable? The liberal use of the term "first
edition" has made it seem synonymous with "Scarce and valuable." This is by
no means the case. Most books appear in only one edition. Determining if a book is a true
first edition takes considerable experience and research. Collectors of literary works are
especially interested in first editions, and there is a lively and well documented market
for these books.
You may want to seek help to determine if the books you found are
valuable. Most booksellers and appraisers will evaluate and appraise book materials.
Appraisers and booksellers are listed in various directories. The Antiquarian Booksellers
Association of America publishes a membership directory that lists address, phone numbers,
and specialties (available from ABAA, 20 West 44th Street, Fourth Floor, New York, NY
10035-6604 or you can visit their Website at www.abaa-booknet.com/booknet1.html.
The charge for an appraisal should be based on the time the appraisal
takes. Expenses such as travel will normally be added to these charges. Be careful to find
someone who has some idea of the marketplace, particularly in areas of specialization,
such as modern first editions, early printed books, and music.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: "When complex thoughts need to be understood, boring old books work best.' (editors of "Wired")
ROSWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY, JUDY ARMSTRONG, 624-7276
| Address: 301 N. Pennsylvania Phone #: 622-7101 Hours: Sunday 2-6 Monday and Tuesday 9-9 Wednesday through Saturday 9-6. |
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