Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery - Staff Wiki


OP Book Searching

Out-of-Print Book Searching

  • Check the OP tray, for any new OP Book orders. Start by verifying that the order is OP by checking various sources such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the publishers web site.

    • If you find a new copy available, print the product details and follow normal ordering procedures.

    • If you confirm that the item is OP, follow the procedures below.

  • Check the OP file and get the oldest search file that contains orders. For example, if it is February, and the May and November files contain orders, search the May folder and then the November folder.
    Since these are old orders, begin by searching USMAI according to normal procedures to make sure that we have not already received the title.

Search Amazonfor the title, author, and ISBN.
  • It is okay to order from Amazon sellers for OP books. Click on _ (number) new & used to access this if the item is available.

  • If there is more that one book available from Amazon sellers, again compare price and condition to choose.

  • Check the sellers rating as well, be sure that the seller is reliable.

  • Print the Amazon product detail page(s) and the Amazon Marketplace page(s) with the price and vendor name visible.

  • Highlight the price of the book to be ordered.

If not found on Amazon, search Addallfor the title, author, and ISBN.
  • Please note:We cannot purchase items from Half.com or GlobalBooksandCollectibles.com.au

  • For each item found, make sure that all information provided matches, including title, author, ISBN, and publisher. In some cases you may also want to match the publication date.

  • If you find several items, compare conditions and prices to choose the best one.

  • First, choose one of the records showing the book you are looking for, and click "match this title". This will limit the list to only the book you are looking for.

  • Next, sort the books by price. To do this click "Asc" in the price column header.

  • From this list, compare the prices and conditions. Choose the book that is in the best condition and has the lowest price.

  • Try to avoid choosing books available from foreign vendors, if the title is available elsewhere.

  • If you find a book available from Astro Logos Books, do not order from them. Instead, it should be available from ProQuest

  • Print the page of product details, taking care to get the condition of the book on the printout, and the seller's detailed information.

  • If an email address is available, send a Visa Inquiry (A template email is available in the Drafts Folder of the Acq account) to the seller. If the condition of the book is not specified, ask for a detailed description in the email.

If not found on Amazon or Addall, search the remaining Amazon sites for the title, author, and ISBN:
If the item we are seeking is not available from AddAll or an Amazon vendor, search Google.
  • Try different combinations. The ISBN alone can sometimes bring up relevant records. If this doesn't work, try searching for the title and author.

  • Print any pages containing product details, taking care to get the condition of the book on the printout if it is used, and the seller's details.

  •  If an email address is available, send a Visa Inquiry to the seller. If the condition of the book is not specified, ask for a detailed description in the email.

  • If none of these searches have proved fruitful, try using Google to locate the author's email address. A search of the title and the author's name may bring up a current resume or contact information for the author.

  • If no record of the item is found anywhere, record your searches on the Out-of-Print slip and refile the order under the current month in the OP Book file.


Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery . University of Maryland, Baltimore County . 1000 Hilltop Circle . Baltimore MD 21250
(410) 455-2232. Questions and comments to: Web Services Librarian