How to sell/downsize personal library? (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Riley, Maureen A CIV (US)]

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Melissa,
        I'm one of those who has successfully given up books for adoption via this listserv.  I've targeted the beginning graduate student population because I can relate to them: I, too, tried to live on my fellowship/grant money AND buy books at the same time.  It is good to know that I might be able to do someone the same kind of favor some of my older grad school colleagues and instructors did for me.
        Advertising free books on the listserv is the only way I can, in all good conscience, divest myself of those books that have, as you so nicely put it, a certain sentimental value, but for which I no longer have a use.  The only condition I have imposed is that the individual must agree to take everything that is on the list I have  compiled (I do that more or less thematically, as you suggest).  Since I'm the one boxing the books up and paying postage, I don't want to have to send one book here, two books there, etc.
        Everyone who has consented to accept the books I've offered has been quite satisfied with their acquisitions.  And I'm still in the process of clearing things out, so I'll be advertising again soon.  Not that I expect you'll want to add anything "new"...
        Best of luck in finding homes for your collection.
Maureen Riley
Associate Professor of Russian,
Defense Language Institute, Washington Office

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list [mailto:SEELANGS at LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf Of Melissa T Smith
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2014 3:08 PM
To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.UA.EDU
Subject: [SEELANGS] How to sell/downsize personal library?

Dear colleagues:

I'm interested in finding out what experience people have had with trying to "downsize" their libraries in retirement. I have only recently begun to sort books into categories, and of course all of them evoke various sentimental associations, so it's going to take a while, and I want them to find good homes, if possible. Now I'm at the stage of dealing with miscellaneous shelving, compounded by the fact that it has been a good ten years since I've been able to ascend easily to my second-floor home office.

Some of the categories I've been separating them into:

Russian-language textbooks
Exercise books on various topics (e.g. on verbs of motion) Grammar reference works (A host of such volumes were acquired in the USSR between 1974 and 1980) Russian literary studies (including those used in graduate school proseminar, 1970's, e.g. "The Mirror and the Lamp") Extensive research in Russian drama and theater in the 1980's and 90's, and women's writings.

 During the past 20 years I have foolishly offered to take things off the hands of retiring/retired colleagues, especially in the category of "classics of Antisoviet Studies."

Books, in general, are losing some of their cache. However, I often see old copies of textbooks on "Amazon," and wonder how they got there.
And from time to time I have seen lists of books that have managed to succcessfully change  hands on this listserv.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Melissa Smith
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

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