Maricopa Friends of the Library learn about assessing the value of books

Earlier this month representatives of the Maricopa Friends of the Library were at Phoenix’s Burton Barr Library to attend a workshop entitled “Assessing the Value of Books.”

Sponsored by the Arizona State Library’s Development Division, the workshop, taught by the Friends of the Tucson-Pima Public Library’s General Manager Mary Billings, was geared to the needs of groups, like the Maricopa Friends, who sponsor used book sales, as well as for library staffers from all over the state.

The ultra-modern Burton Barr Library in central Phoenix.


Participants from many libraries and friends of the library groups attended the workshop.

According to Billings, “Books have properties that help you to pick out the valuable ones from the rest.” One person’s “trash” or discarded book may be someone else’s real treasure. Billings laughingly noted, “Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in awhile.”

In the mindset of a collector, for example, a first edition book is the “closest thing to the author’s original thought process,” said Billings. That factor increases the value of the book, which is enhanced further by the author’s signature. An original dust jacket also creates additional value for the book.

“Evaluating books in general,” Billings explained, “is very much an intuitive process. When looking for valuable books, it is important not to be limited by personal prejudices. Topics of no interest to one person may be of great value to another. To be valuable, there must be something about a book that someone wants.”

Kathy Debevec (left) and Gloria Barrientos represented the Maricopa Friends of the Library.

Mary Billings (left), the workshop facilitator, provides Kathy Debevec with some additional information.

Supply and demand regulate the value of a book with condition a mitigating factor. Some subjects that are consistently of interest and tend to hold their value include good quality art books, cookbooks, books on hobbies and historical events. Books about areas of local or regional interest have value, and the specificity of the topic adds to that value. Old repair manuals and book on collecting are generally in demand, as are books with excellent photos or illustrations. Children’s books, 20-25 years old or older, may prove valuable also.

Workshop participants received copies of “How to Identify Valuable Books” and “Book Collecting for Fun and Profit.” Information from these publications, as well as information learned in the workshop, will enable the Maricopa Friends to better assess the value of books for future book sales, including the one scheduled for this fall.