I'm curious how you managed to police this policy. Did you confiscate scanners or eject people using scanners from the sale? Were there any downsides?

Sounds a bit heavy handed... why not simply disallow hoarding? Scan all you want, but do so right where the books are. Remove them only if you're ready to buy. I think Ithaca's book sale works that way.

Ben R, Alachua's Friends President Joan Bearden wrote me that people who read the newspaper articles watched out for scanners or price-changers and alerted them, but didn't mention any significant altercations. She did mention that dealers were happy that they didn't have to compete with the "grab and run" types.

I have to agree with Voice-of-Reason. A good compromise would be to just ban hoarding of books. For most booksales, policing a 'no scanner' policy would seem near impossible and only reward those who subverted this rule. Don't let people hold books and put them back, but dealers should be free to use their gizmos at the tables if they like.

I completely agree that folks shouldn't be allowed to disrupt a sale (hoarding, etc. needs to be monitored). But I hope there is not an issue with booksellers in general. The comment regarding those with a financial agenda seems to indicate distaste or worse for those who are buying books to re-sell. I think the goal needs to be for the library to raise money and everyone to be able to come and have access to the books in a fair & orderly manner. I'm sure that the booksellers contribute significantly to the library revenues at these sales. Unreasonable limitations or exclusions will eventually hurt the library.

i wanted to go to the gainesville sale and was upset to find it banned all electronic devices. i am a book seller with a scanner. i do not hoarde. i am always polite and i am always courteous to non-dealers and volunteers. hoarders tend to be all around awful individuals with no sense of decency and an elevated level of self importance. i have thought about paying some friends to come to sales and follow the hoarders and grab the books from in front of them like they do to others. maybe a taste of their own medicine might give them some perspective. until then, hoarders, like locusts, will descend on and devour a 200k booksale in 15 minutes. happy hunting!