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The Ask an IPL Librarian Reference Service will close between academic terms beginning December 20, 2007 at 10 p.m. (EST). We will reopen the service on Monday, January 5, 2008 at Noon (EST). We use this time to work behind the scenes to improve this service. Happy Holidays from all of us at the IPL!

Finding Books

Example questions that are addressed using this FAQ:

The Internet Public Library People is not a physical building with shelves and materials to lend, but rather, it is an online resource that provides ways for finding books.

I. Classics and other freely available books online:

It's important to keep in mind that most books published after 1923 are not available for free over the Internet even if they are offered in a digital form (such as a downloadable, electronic book). Books that are considered "Classics" are often older (pre-1923)and can be found online through a few reliable sources. These are freely distributed so that you can read them on your computer or often download them to a MP3 player as well. You'll have to check with the distributor for the options for each title, and check back often as this field is growing with the current advances in digitalization.

A good place for finding a list of distributors who offer freely available books that are accessible online is through the IPL's Subject Collections, "Online Texts," and "Online Contemporary Fiction."

For Online Texts please see:

http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/hum60.60.00/

For Online Contemporary Fiction please go to:

http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/hum60.60.61/

Both of the topics above fall under the IPL's heading "Literature," found at:

http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/hum60.00.00/


II. Finding books and materials through your community's library.

Another way to find books is through your local academic or public library. Many libraries have downloadable versions as well. A good directory for finding a library near you is through LibWeb, online at:

http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb

This is an easy-to-use listing of libraries in the world. Search by location and type of library, and LibWeb's directory offers a link to that library's web site.
Once there, locate and search on the library's online catalog (usually linked right there on the home page). If you can't find the book or item you seek, look for an "About Us" or "Contact" area and try calling, emailing, chatting, or visiting the reference librarian. Remember that even if your library doesn't own the book, they may still be able to get it for you. Most libraries can obtain materials for library users via a procedure called "Interlibrary Loan" ("ILL"). Your library will contact a library that owns the book you want, and ask if you may borrow it. Be aware that this procedure may take some time, and sometimes involves a fee to cover postage and/or handling.

III. Finding and Using Bookstores and Booksellers

  1. Bookstores
    Another alternative is purchasing the book or material online or by visiting a bookseller/bookstore. Some well known options are through Powell's, Border's, and Amazon.

  2. Booksellers
    If the book you seek is available your local bookseller may be able to special-order it for you. Independent bookstores, college and university bookstores, and major chain bookstores (such as those listed above) are often helpful in finding materials to purchase, or you can opt to search for yourself online through their websites.

    Also keep in mind that your local public library appreciates suggestions for purchase. Please ask your library's reference librarian for more information.

IV. Antique, Used, and Rare Book Dealers

For rare and antique books (and to find their value), or if you suspect that the book you seek is out of print, you can contact a used book dealer. Libraries can also be helpful places, since they use interlibrary loan and can help you see if it is in print and/or available. Librarians and booksellers are often specialists in tracking down copies of hard-to-find material.  See "Antique, Used, and Rare Book Dealers" below.

V. Finding Bestseller Lists (Including Children's Books)

Sometimes finding the name/author of a recently-published book is the first step to finding a book. Some options are included here.

VI. Finding Places to Download Books for Free (Or Nearly Free)

The availability of online access to electronic books and materials is quickly growing and through a variety of sources. Some are free (especially books that have a copyright date prior to 1923, as mentioned in the Classics section). Some libraries are freely providing downloadable books to listen or read online, too (with a valid library card). Check with your library and on that library's catalog to find out more about this. Other resources, such as the World Public Library, charge a small fee per year or require registration.

List of Places to Search for Books:

  1. Classics

    1. IPL's List of Resources for Classics

      1. Subject Collection
        http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/hum31.00.00/
      2. Frequently Asked Questions Resource for Classics
        http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/classicsFARQ.html

    2. Other options for reading and downloading classics online

      1. The IPL's guide to Online Texts (online books and materials)
        http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/hum60.60.00
      2. MIT's "The Internet Classics"
        http://classics.mit.edu
      3. Project Gutenberg
        http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

    3. Lit Crit (professional literature criticism) guide and resources, through the IPL
      http://www.ipl.org/div/litcrit/

  2. General Print and Electronic Books (e-Books) Found Through:

    1. Libraries (Note: Libraries offer access to books and materials through a valid library card that must be obtained directly from the library you wish to patronize.)

      1. Search multiple library catalogs simultaneously
        1. World Cat
          http://www.worldcat.org
        2. IFLA Directory (of National Union Catalogues)
          http://www.ifla.org/VI/2/duc/index.htm
      2. Search through some major university libraries
        1. Drexel University Libraries
          http://www.library.drexel.edu
        2. Florida State University Library
          http://www.lib.fsu.edu
        3. Harvard University
          http://lib.harvard.edu/
        4. The University of California
          http://melvyl.cdlib.org
        5. The University of Michigan
          http://www.lib.umich.edu
        6. University of Washington
          http://www.lib.washington.edu
      3. Search through a national library
        1. In the United States
          1. National Agricultural Library
            http://agricola.nal.usda.gov/
          2. National Library of Medicine
            http://locatorplus.gov/
          3. Library of Congress
            http://catalog.loc.gov
        2. Outside the United States
          National Libraries of the World, from IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions)
          http://www.ifla.org/VI/2/p2/national-libraries.htm
      4. Search through the U.S. major public libraries
        1. New York Public Library
          http://www.nypl.org/books
        2. Boston Public Library
          http://www.bpl.org
        3. Free Library of Philadelphia
          http://know.library.phila.gov
        4. Seattle Public Library
          http://www.spl.org
        5. San Francisco Public Library
          http://sfpl.org/sfplonline/index.htm
      5. Search through your community library's online catalogs
        1. Lib-Dex
          http://www.libdex.com
        2. LibWeb
          http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/
        3. Lib-Web-Cats
          http://www.librarytechnology.org/libwebcats/
        4. Library Spot
          http://www.libraryspot.com/libraries

    2. Search through bookstores (Please note that the IPL does not endorse one bookstore over another. This information is presented as a way for finding the books and items you seek.)

      1. Amazon.com
        http://www.amazon.com
      2. Barnes & Noble
        http://barnesandnoble.com
      3. Borders
        http://www.borders.com
      4. Google's book search
        http://books.google.com/
      5. Powell's Books
        http://www.powells.com
      6. Yahoo's List of Bookstores
        http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Books/Bookstores

    3. Free (or nearly free) Downloadable readable and audio books and materials (ebooks). Also be sure to check with your local library!

      1. Ebook Library Free Downloads
        http://www.witguides.com
      2. Free e-Books (registration required; no fee)
        http://www.free-ebooks.net
      3. Free Tech Books
        http://www.freetechbooks.com
      4. The Internet Archive (for audio books)
        http://www.archive.org/details/audio
      5. The Internet Archive's resource list for downloadable books/texts
        http://www.archive.org/details/texts
      6. The IPL's guide to resources for downloadable books (includes stories)
        http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/hum60.60.00/
      7. LibriVox (for audio books)
        http://librivox.org
      8. Project Gutenberg
        http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
      9. World Public Library (small annual fee required)
        http://worldlibrary.net

  3. Bestseller lists (with resources for finding them)
    If you are looking for a popular book or other commonly-asked for lists, the IPL has some resources that may help you:

    1. Amazon's featured bestsellers
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books
    2. Indie Bestsellers
      http://indiebound.org/indie-bestsellers
    3. The IPL's Guide to Bestseller lists
      http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/bestsellerFARQ.html
    4. New York Times Bestsellers
      http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/index.html
    5. Publisher's Weekly
      http://www.publishersweekly.com/

  4. Booksellers (also known as "book dealers")

    1. Advanced Book Exchange
      http://www.abebooks.com
    2. BookFinder.com
      http://www.bookfinder.com
    3. Powell's Books
      http://www.powells.com
    4. Yahoo's Listing of Used Book Dealers
      http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Books/Bookstores/Antique__Rare__and_Used

  5. Antique, Used, And Rare Book Dealers
    1. ExLibris (from Stanford University) offers a listserv for discussions that includes the topic of rare books
      http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/exlibris/
    2. The IPL's guide to finding used and rare books and their prices
      http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/usedbookFARQ.html
    3. The IPL's guide to the history of books and resources for finding rare books
      http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/48444

What is the IPL?

The Internet Public Library is a public library for the world wide web.
Students from a consortium of colleges and universities with programs in information science develop and maintain the IPL!
Here are some of the partners in the IPL Consortium. A complete list is found on the IPL Consortium page.

The iSchool at Drexel Florida State University College of Information University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate School of Library and Information Science Rutgers School of Communication and Information Studies

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences Syracuse University School of Information The Information School - University Of Washington

The Internet Public Library is hosted by The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology,
with major support from the College of Information at Florida State University.

Sponsored by Intel and Sun Microsystems
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