Take a book. Leave a book. Or both. The concept of neighbourhood lending libraries is simple and they’ve proven popular across Vancouver. But the idea has hit a slight snag in one East Vancouver neighbourhood.

Eileen Mosca and a neighbour set up a book exchange at Lakewood and Charles in Grandview-Woodland about five years ago, and it’s been successful, except they’ve discovered a couple of people repeatedly stop by, pick through the selection, find the most valuable books and re-sell them at bookstores on Commercial Drive.

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Mosca talked to one man who stops by at about 10:30 every morning, but he ignores her. Another neighbour was so angry and frustrated, he followed the man from the library stand to the Drive where he sold the books.

While it’s not illegal, it bothers Mosca.

“You can’t steal a book that’s free. That’s the conundrum. You’re welcome to take them and read them or whatever. It just doesn’t seem in the spirit of the book box, of this kind of an exchange, to make a profit off the books that people think they’re donating to their neighbour,” she said.

In an attempt to deal with the problem, they’ve started stamping the books with a message: “Not for resale. This book comes from a community book box.”

Although Mosca expects some books will end up being sold on the street, she hopes book stores won’t re-sell them. They’ve dropped off letters advising book sellers about the concern.

“And we’re hoping that if neighbours are aware of this stamp, and what it’s about, maybe they won’t buy them on the street. I don’t know. It may not work at all,” she said.

Mosca stresses that readers don’t have to drop off a book to take one.

“It’s not a one-for-one. You don’t have to donate to take. And you’re welcome to take them and keep them or give them away as gifts. That’s fine,” she said. “It’s this commercial aspect and daily-ness of it that really finally spurred us to do something. We’ve seen this guy for a year doing it.”

She noted there are about eight book exchanges within walking distance of her house. Another one of them has run into the same issue.

Mosca hopes the stamp doesn’t displace the problem to other book stands and wants to know about it if it does.

“[We’d] like to spread the word [about the stamp]. Also, we want people to be aware and, if they see the stamp, don’t buy the book. That will end the problem. If people won’t buy them, that will end the problem,” she said. “If people don’t buy them, they’re will be no point in taking them.”

noconnor@vancourier.com

@naoibh