Should you keep old encyclopedias?

It depends on desire; what people want. Considering old encyclopedias, some people collect them. If the books are older than a hundred years, find out their value from a rare bookseller. Alternatively, you can sell them at a garage sale.


What's the best thing to do with old encyclopedias?

Recycling encyclopedias

Call your local library and ask if you may donate your set to be sold. Put it up for giveaway on freecycle.org. If they're really old -- say, more than 100 years -- call a rare bookseller and ask if they're worth anything. Find out if a local recycler takes them.

Does anyone want old encyclopedias?

If you're looking for a more purposeful use for your old encyclopedias, try local schools and libraries. Schools can use the encyclopedias in classrooms or in their library, and local libraries sometimes use donated books to stock shelves.


Do old encyclopedias have any value?

Old encyclopedias are attracting collectors primarily for two reasons: scarcity and information. As is the case with all rare books and other collectibles, the more scarce an edition is, the more likely it is to have a bigger spread between supply and demand, and thus the higher the monetary value.

Is there a market for old Encyclopedia Britannica?

Once the first set of books required in any home library, Encyclopedia Britannica has long since been superseded by the internet. But rather extraordinarily there is still a market for it, as Octavia Pollock finds out. Not for nothing was the Age of Enlightenment so named.


How To Reuse Old Encyclopedias and Books



Do people use encyclopedias anymore?

Encyclopedias still exist, but as the Internet has taken over everything that we do, the need for them is gone. To that end, Encyclopaedia Britannica has announced that after 244 years of doing business it is going out of print, according to a report by Media Decoder.

Can you put old encyclopedias in recycle bin?

For paperback books, you can recycle the book whole, including the binding. For hardcover books, you'll need to remove the cover because it has non-paper components.

How do you get rid of old encyclopedias?

If you find recycling the old encyclopedias to be a hassle, there are other methods you can consider. For instance, donation works; many organizations accept old books.
...
Can You Donate Old Encyclopedia Sets?
  1. Your local library. ...
  2. Your local charity. ...
  3. Your local theater. ...
  4. Prisons. ...
  5. Thrift stores.


What are some items that should never be recycled?

Non-recyclable items
  • Garbage.
  • Food waste.
  • Food-tainted items (such as: used paper plates or boxes, paper towels, or paper napkins)
  • Ceramics and kitchenware.
  • Windows and mirrors.
  • Plastic wrap.
  • Packing peanuts and bubble wrap.
  • Wax boxes.


When would you not use an encyclopedia?

For one, you should never use an encyclopedia as a source. Academic work requires primary or, at worst, secondary sources. Encyclopedias are considered a tertiary source. Even back in 2006, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales told students not to cite it for class projects or serious research.

What is the most used encyclopedia?

So Which One Should You Use? With almost 6.5 million articles, Wikipedia is the largest free encyclopedia on the Internet.


Why do people still use Encyclopedia Britannica?

The Encyclopedia Britannica contains carefully edited articles on all major topics. It fits the ideal purpose of a reference work as a place to get started, or to refer back to as you read and write. The articles in Britannica are written by authors both identifiable and credible.

How much do encyclopedias sell for?

Prices among reputable encyclopedia publishers range from about $300 to $1,499. Parents can bring those books within reach, however, by seeking out a number of discount programs or by scouring second-hand bookstores for an older set of encyclopedias.

When were encyclopedias discontinued?

The last printed edition in 2010 included 32 volumes and 32,640 pages. A safe claim can be made that almost no college students today grew up in a home that had an encyclopedia on the shelf.


Do old encyclopedias sell?

And Roundtree says a fine set of 11th Edition Britannicas can command as much as $3,000. Older sets of encyclopedias can carry excellent value as well, especially if they're in good condition.

What were the best encyclopedias?

Encyclopedias
  • Britannica. Highly respected encyclopedia in publication since 1768. ...
  • Catholic Encyclopedia. 10,000 articles on Catholic history, interests, and doctrine. ...
  • Columbia Encyclopedia (via Infoplease) ...
  • Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. ...
  • Credo Reference. ...
  • Encyclopedia Mythica. ...
  • Encyclopedia of Life. ...
  • Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


Where can I donate Old World Book encyclopedias?

Where to Donate Books
  • The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is one of the world's largest providers of social aid. ...
  • Goodwill. ...
  • Local Libraries. ...
  • Vietnam Veterans of America. ...
  • Habitat for Humanity ReStores. ...
  • Other Local Charities. ...
  • Local Theaters. ...
  • Retirement Homes.


Can you sell Encyclopedia Britannica?

List your Britannica encyclopedias on local online classified sites such as Craigslist. Include your phone number for faster response times or request an anonymous e-mail address for replies. List your encyclopedias on online auction sites such as eBay.

Why do people still use encyclopedias?

They provide background information about the topic that you are researching. The information that they provide is from credible authors. In addition, their articles are more precise and on point. Students can also use the data from the encyclopedia for their schoolwork.

How much did the Encyclopedia Britannica cost?

Encyclopaedia Britannica cost $1400 for a full 32-volume print edition.


How much did World Book Encyclopedia cost?

As of 2022, the only official sales outlet for the World Book Encyclopedia is the company's website; the official list price is $1,199.

Do charity shops take encyclopedias?

For instance, encyclopedias, textbooks and old non-fiction books won't be accepted because they're likely to contain out-of-date information.

What were the old encyclopedias called?

No medieval encyclopedia bore the title Encyclopaedia – they were often called On nature (De natura, De naturis rerum), Mirror (Speculum maius, Speculum universale), Treasure (Trésor).


Can you trust encyclopedias?

Encyclopedias are collections of short, factual entries often written by different contributors who are knowledgeable about the topic. Therefore, encyclopedias are reliable sources of information because they have been edited by experts in various fields.

What is the hardest item to recycle?

Items Which are Most Difficult to Recycle
  1. CDs and DVDs. It's quite difficult for re-processors to manage old, scratched up CDs and DVDs as they are made from aluminium and polycarbonate materials. ...
  2. Bubble Wrap. ...
  3. Citrus Fruit Netting. ...
  4. Clingfilm. ...
  5. Silica Gel. ...
  6. Pill Packets. ...
  7. Broken Plates. ...
  8. Dental Hygiene Products.