Are Ex-Library Books Worth Anything?

To collectors, ex-library books are usually worth little — the stamps, labels, pockets, and plastic bindings count as permanent damage, and an ex-library copy of a collectible title often sells for 50–90% less than a clean one. The exception is a genuinely scarce book, where any copy is welcome. But low collector value doesn't make them junk: ex-library books are sturdy, complete reading copies, ideal for circulation. Bring them all — don't try to peel the stickers, and don't sort them; I'll spot the rare ones.

Published June 2026 · By Josh Eldred, New Mexico Literacy Project

What "ex-library" means

An ex-library (or "ex-lib") book is one that was formerly part of a library's circulating collection and later withdrawn. They're easy to spot once you know the marks: ownership stamps (on the title page, edges, or endpapers), a spine label with a call number, a card pocket or date-due slip inside the cover, a barcode sticker, a glued-on plastic library binding or laminate over the jacket, stamped or perforated page edges, and often a "WITHDRAWN" or "DISCARD" stamp. Any one of these tells you the book passed through a library.

What it does to collector value

From a collector's standpoint, these markings are permanent damage, and the impact is significant. An ex-library copy of a book that collectors want will typically sell for a fraction of a clean copy — frequently 50 to 90% less — and for high-grade collectors an ex-library copy of a common title is effectively uncollectible. The library binding and stamps can't be undone, the original jacket is usually taped down or gone, and condition is the whole game at the top of the market. So if you were hoping a stamped first edition would be your windfall, the honest answer is that the stamps took most of the upside.

The exceptions worth knowing

Genuinely scarce titles. When a book is rare enough that clean copies essentially don't come up, collectors will gladly take an ex-library copy — for the truly hard-to-find, an ex-lib copy may be the only way to own it at all, and it can still command real money.

Institutional provenance. Occasionally a book's library history is itself interesting — a notable institution, a documented discard from a famous collection — though this is the rare case, not the rule.

The content still has full value as a book. An ex-library reference, art book, or technical title is just as useful to read and use as a pristine one — the markings don't change a word inside.

Why you should bring them anyway

Here's the part that matters for clearing a shelf: ex-library books are excellent donations. They were built to survive heavy use — reinforced bindings, sturdy boards — which makes them ideal circulating copies for classrooms, Little Free Libraries, reading programs, and anyone who just wants to read the book. A stamped hardcover that a rare-book dealer would reject is exactly the durable copy a school or a reader will get years out of. And every so often, a genuinely scarce ex-library title turns up in a donation that someone almost left in the trash. So don't pre-judge a box because the books have stamps — bring them; you don't have to sort or value anything, and there's almost always something good in the lot.

Frequently asked questions

Are ex-library books worth anything?

To collectors, usually little — markings count as permanent damage and cut value 50–90% on collectible titles. The exception is genuinely scarce books, where any copy is wanted. As reading copies they keep full usefulness.

Should I remove the library stickers and stamps?

No — it almost always causes more damage and collectors can tell. Leave them as they are.

What should I do with ex-library books?

Bring them — they're durable, complete reading copies perfect for circulation, and occasionally a scarce one appears. Free pickup; you don't have to sort them.