Anyone in the publishing, - I have a question about best sellers out of print

Kai Avalon

Kai Avalon

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East Coast
This started in2022 - I retired with a long list of books I wanted to read or reread. The first was Arthur Haley (not alex) who had a slew of bestsellers in the 70-80's. I couldn't find anything on Amazon, library lending. I eventually found them on ETSY.

Now its the same with Robert Ludlum and Alistair Maclean. Why do these books go completely out of print and libraries choose to purge their shelves, when I can find books not nearly as popular and not classic still on the shelves (I have checked out books that have the old card and date stamp 1968)

Just curious if anyone knows why.
 
Kai Avalon said:
This started in2022 - I retired with a long list of books I wanted to read or reread. The first was Arthur Haley (not alex) who had a slew of bestsellers in the 70-80's. I couldn't find anything on Amazon, library lending. I eventually found them on ETSY.

Now its the same with Robert Ludlum and Alistair Maclean. Why do these books go completely out of print and libraries choose to purge their shelves, when I can find books not nearly as popular and not classic still on the shelves (I have checked out books that have the old card and date stamp 1968)

Just curious if anyone knows why.
Click to expand...
Some libraries have very tight shelves, and little space, but the main reason is that the book hasn't been checked out for years. Some librarians are too quick to remove books after only 3 or 4 years, but the older guideline is 7 years.
Some will keep famous classics longer . These stagnant books may have been digitized and available as ebooks at library Librarians like and buy more ebooks because they cost much less and take no space or handling.
Some libraries have them only in large print sections. Anyway can you borrow it from another library? Or ask them to borrow it, no cost.
THe very old books may be available free at Internetarchive to read online.
Advice from former librarian*
 
Kai Avalon said:
This started in2022 - I retired with a long list of books I wanted to read or reread. The first was Arthur Haley (not alex) who had a slew of bestsellers in the 70-80's. I couldn't find anything on Amazon, library lending. I eventually found them on ETSY.

Now its the same with Robert Ludlum and Alistair Maclean. Why do these books go completely out of print and libraries choose to purge their shelves, when I can find books not nearly as popular and not classic still on the shelves (I have checked out books that have the old card and date stamp 1968)

Just curious if anyone knows why.
Click to expand...
There are a few of Arthur Haley's books on Thriftbooks . com.

You can often find many old books on that website.
 
Kai Avalon said:
This started in2022 - I retired with a long list of books I wanted to read or reread. The first was Arthur Haley (not alex) who had a slew of bestsellers in the 70-80's. I couldn't find anything on Amazon, library lending. I eventually found them on ETSY.

Now its the same with Robert Ludlum and Alistair Maclean. Why do these books go completely out of print and libraries choose to purge their shelves, when I can find books not nearly as popular and not classic still on the shelves (I have checked out books that have the old card and date stamp 1968)

Just curious if anyone knows why.
Click to expand...
go to www.abebooks.com

It is a system that lists books available - mostly used books, but some simply never owned from overstock. The books are listed by countless booksellers. I checked, they list books by Arthur Haley, Robert Ludlum, and Alistair Maclean.

Books listed can be hardcover or paperback, the condition of individual book copies is noted. I've used the system since before Amazon existed. Knowing the book's condition before I paid for it to be sent ensured I was always satisfied with what I received.
 
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Kai Avalon said:
This started in2022 - I retired with a long list of books I wanted to read or reread. The first was Arthur Haley (not alex) who had a slew of bestsellers in the 70-80's. I couldn't find anything on Amazon, library lending.
Click to expand...
Perhaps it was because the author is Arthur HAILEY?
Amazon has many by Arthur Hailey.
 
I can find just about everything in used book stores like Thriftbooks. Plus they are usually in great condition. Some still have price tags on them.
 
Thanks. I had tried most of this as well as Gutenberg and Googlebooks. I will try thriftbooks and abebooks. My little spelling mistake cost me, but most of the others I did find some on amazon were either hideously expensive or DVD.

Was just curious and I think Marv helped me understand.
 
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