Whether you’re a collector or eBay seller, here’s a little known tidbit about how to obtain books of all kinds for no cost.

Public libraries are licensed as non-profit organizations within the state they operate. In order to not lose this non-profit status, they are prohibited from giving or donating books.

That’s why you’ll see occasional book sales and small bookshops with books for sale at your local library.

Most libraries have limited space for the abundance of inventory they have on their shelves, receive as donations, and are sent by innumerable publishers.

Therefore, when overstocked, they must discard books, magazines, etc. Most do not destroy. Instead they are merely thrown into their garbage or dumpster container outside the building.

If you don’t mind getting a little dirty, check it out. I found literally hundreds of books in good to excellent condition over the past year this way.

I was not only able to add to my collection, but it enabled me to donate many books to my favorite charities.

notes:

1.Be very careful to secure the lid open while searching, as most are very heavy and can cause serious physical harm if slammed shut on any part of your person.

2. I DID CONTACT MY LOCAL LIBRARY, TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING, THEY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IT.