ex-library

Once publicly loaned

Ex-library describes a book or other item that was once part of a library collection and has since been sold or discarded.

Such copies typically show signs of institutional ownership—stamps, spine labels, plastic covers, or card pockets: The ex-library copy was cheap but had stickers on the spine.

Collectors and booksellers note this condition because it affects value.

acquisition

secondhand

Having had prior ownership

usedAlready been employed
discardedGotten rid of
withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged

surplus · sale · bargain · cheap · affordable · acquisition · collection · bookseller · dealer · auction

condition

stamps

Postal payment adhesives

stickersAdhesive-backed paper images
labelsIdentifying markers attached to items
spineColumn of vertebrae

pocket · card · markings · wear · binding · dust jacket · foxing · tatty · faded · torn

provenance

ownership

Legal right of possession

historyRecord of past events
inscriptionText permanently marked
bookplateVolume ownership label

catalogue · accession · number · barcode · classification · Dewey · institutional · municipal · university · public

collectibility

undesirable

Not wanted or sought

damagedMade worse by injury
inferiorOf lower rank
devaluedLowered in worth

rare · antiquarian · bibliophile · collector · investment · condition · grading · discount · compromise · acceptable

Opposites

provenance/ownership history

ex-librarymint

Aromatic culinary herb

pristine · private collection · new · fine · unread

condition/collectibility

ex-librarymint

Aromatic culinary herb

pristine · fine · unread · unmarked · clean copy

collectibility/desirability

ex-libraryfirst edition

Original published version

signed copy · rare · investment-grade

Family

ex, library, libraries, librarian, librarians, librarianship, libel, libellous, liberal

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G