We've all had problems with trying to track down books. Especially when the book is old or obscure. No shops seem to carry it any more, and no matter what you do, you can't get your hands on it. This is usually because the book is out of print. A book out of print refers to a book that is no longer being printed by a publisher. Books usually have a set print run, and if booksellers fail to sell the number of copies in this print run, the book tends not to be reprinted. Popular titles tend to remain in print, as the market demand means that publishers can justify printing more and more copies. So, what do you do when you want to get your hands on an out of print book?
One of the main things you'll have to consider when trying to find an out of print book is whether you want to own a copy of the book for yourself. For some people, this may be a necessity. Others may be happy simply to borrow a copy or to see if they can make a photocopy or a few key passages or pages. Obviously, what you require from the book will affect the different places you can think about obtaining from.
If you only need a copy of the book temporarily, your first stop should be a library. Different types of libraries will have different collections. If you are looking for a fiction title, your local community library might be a good choice. However, if you are looking for something that is quite specialized, such as an academic text, or a family history text, you may need to choose a different library. University libraries are often a good choice for more obscure non-fiction titles. They also tend to have large collections of literary fiction, as their students and staff may need to refer to these for their classes. Some have catalogs that you can search online, so see if you can find your book there before venturing inside.
Some people also have personal collections that you may be able to make use of. Certain people are experts in particular fields, and have their own libraries that are full of books around certain topics. If you know the particular book you are after, see if you can track down an expert in this field. This may involve contacting a school or a library. Alternatively, you might be able to see if you can track down an expert online who may know where to find your book out of print.
Other great options for finding out of print books are second hand book stores. These often sell titles that are old or have become out of print. You might find that you have some luck browsing your local second hand book stores, or by trying an online book store. Amazon or other large online stores may be useful for this. Also try bid sites such as eBay, or specialized book lover sites, as people may be able to guide you in your search for that particular book out of print.