Advance Reader's Copy (ARC)
A pre-publication review copy marked 'not for sale' that cannot legally be resold on most platforms.
Read Definition →Library Book Sale Glossary
Every term you will hear at a library book sale, explained in plain English — from bag days and preview nights to ex-library copies, remainder marks, and the reseller jargon you will overhear in the aisles.
A
B
Bag Sale (Fill-a-Bag)
A flat-price final day where you pay one price for every book you can fit in a bag or box.
Read Definition →Best Sellers Rank (BSR)
Amazon's popularity ranking within a category, used as a proxy for how fast a book sells.
Read Definition →C
Clearance Day / Markdowns
Late-sale days where per-book prices drop by half or more before bag pricing begins.
Read Definition →E
Ex-Library (Ex-Lib)
A book formerly in a library's circulating collection, marked with stamps, labels, and pockets.
Read Definition →F
First Edition / First Printing
The first published version of a book, with the earliest print run carrying the most collector value.
Read Definition →Friends of the Library (FOL)
The volunteer nonprofit group that collects donations and runs most library book sales.
Read Definition →Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
A program where Amazon stores, packs, and ships your inventory in exchange for per-unit fees.
Read Definition →L
Lotting / Bundling
Grouping several individually low-value books into one listing to make the sale worth shipping.
Read Definition →P
Preview Night / Members' Early Access
A ticketed or members-only shopping window held before the sale opens to the public.
Read Definition →R
Remainder Mark
A publisher's ink dot, stripe, or spray on the page edges marking overstock sold at a discount.
Read Definition →Restricted Category / Gating
Marketplace limits that block a seller from listing certain brands, categories, or specific titles.
Read Definition →S
Scouting App / Barcode Scanner
A phone app or Bluetooth scanner that reads ISBNs and returns live resale pricing and demand data.
Read Definition →Silent Auction / Better Books Section
A roped-off area for higher-value titles sold at set premium prices or by written bid.
Read Definition →T
Trade Paperback vs. Mass Market Paperback
Two paperback formats that differ in size, paper quality, and resale value.
Read Definition →Ready to find your next sale?
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