Book Labeling

Buckeye24 · Post by **Buckeye24** » 08 Jul 2008, 14:52

Do you label your books? I know many people share, borrow, and give away books they've read, so what is the best way to label your book?

I've seen book labels in the store, but they are permanently stuck in the book. What happens if I decide I want to give the book away or sell it back to the store?

CassieXO · Post by **CassieXO** » 08 Jul 2008, 14:59

I always write my last name in all my books.
Partly because I have people borrow them from me all the time and partly because I know that I am never going to sell them or give them away!

Wordsgood · Post by **Wordsgood** » 08 Jul 2008, 15:17

Since you don't want to affix any kind of permanent label, I assume that also means not writing or stamping your name on them. I can only think of one solution that may sound a bit goofy and anal, but truthfully I wish I'd thought of it before you asked this question. Why not keep a written sheet/log of what you loan, to whom, when & condition, date returned & condition it's returned in? Have folks sign it when they borrow one - even family. OK, you can stop laughing and mocking me now. It just occurs to me this might actually a good idea because if enough time passes, people forget who they loaned what to, and they also forget what the borrowed from whom!

I stopped loaning to most folks over the years because I generally never got them back or replaced, despite fervent promises to return them undamaged, or a brand spanking new replacement - in the format they borrowed, as in hardcover or paperback. I shudder to think of how much money this has actually cost me over the years because I kept assuming friends and family would:

a) take care of my belongings as I would theirs,
b) make an effort to remember that the book on their night table is not theirs, and
c) believe me when I mentioned it was mine and would like it back.

Now having made such a huge argument for this plan, you will excuse me while I go note the book my Dad recently borrowed. (Think I will exempt my parents from having to sign, even though they have lost some books on me! They might call on some things of theirs that I lost.

Hey, I didn't say I was perfect!! Besides, isn't there some kind of borrowing clause that kids are allowed to lose their parent's stuff - no matter how old they get?

)

Biblioklept · Post by **Biblioklept** » 08 Jul 2008, 16:07

I don't bother. I usually send out my finished books or give them away. If it's something I view as a "keeper" then I either don't lend it or lend it to folks that understand how much I value the return of my property.

sleepydumpling · Post by **sleepydumpling** » 09 Jul 2008, 05:45

Anything that I intend to keep in my permanent collection, I use a book plate in. For things that I keep but loan out, I just write my name in them.

And everything else gets a bookcrossing label in it!

Wordsgood · Post by **Wordsgood** » 16 Jul 2008, 10:43

I was thinking about this thread and remembered something related to the topic. (Sort of.) A few times over the years I would be at a family member's or friends house, see a book and think "Hmmm, that one looks interesting..." I'd pick it up, scan through, realize I had read it before and in fact had a copy of my own at home. When I would mention it to the family member or friend, thinking we must have the same taste in books, I would generally get a sheepish look and have it handed to me with an apology!

Well, occassionally I would also realize the book in questoin was mine and then end up in a dispute with the other party who was sure it was theirs, despite the fact they never went book shopping!

Geepers, can you tell I'm bored at the moment? LOL!