CHECK IT OUT:

We live in a society where most items are readily available and easy to find; all that’s required is a trip to a shopping center or a visit to eBay or some other online shopping or auction site.

However, if you collect antiques, memorabilia or collectibles, the quest for a particular item may require time, patience, persistence and knowledge about certain acquisitions. For collectors, the thrill of the hunt can increase the excitement of obtaining new pieces for their collections.

Books at the Newport Beach Public Library can offer tips on how to acquire, protect, preserve and sell any of your diverse treasures. Here are just a few of the titles available:

“Saving Stuff” by Don Williams: This guide describes how to preserve, clean, display and store your collectibles. Special tips include preventing light damage, preserving items through temperature control and ways to avoid carelessness and breakage.

“A-Z of Antiques & Collectibles” by Judith Miller: This author is prolific in her writings about antiques and collectibles. In this encyclopedia, arranged alphabetically by subject, she shares her knowledge on different styles and periods, discusses various craftsmen and explains how an object was used and when it was most fashionable.

“Garage Sale America” by Bruce Littlefield: Are you looking for something particular or just a bargain? This book stresses the importance of recognizing the flavor of various communities you frequent for shopping at garage sales, because you will most likely find certain types of objects reflecting the community’s culture. It also stresses how to find a good deal, how to recognize and prevent a fraudulent purchase and tips on how to negotiate with sellers. It also includes major sales and garage sales across the country.

“Don’t Call the Thrift Shop” by Susannah Ryder: This clever book offers ways to obtain the best value for heirlooms or antiques from the perspective of the estate planning process, if you are moving and selling items or any other situation where the worth of valuables must be determined.

“Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price List 2008”: This is an informative and entertaining reference source for collectors, dealers and appraisers filled with factual information organized by manufacturers and their products. It helps assess the actual market value of products and includes colorful illustrations.

“Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles” by Steve Meltzer: A beautifully illustrated guide. This book provides an overview of digital photography, including tips on lighting, lenses, image quality, exposure and how to photograph two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects.

It also includes helpful techniques for photographing valuables for insurance purposes, documentation and sales. This is a great book if you plan to sell your collectibles on an auction website, because good photos can lead to additional sales!

So whether you’re just starting a collection or you’re an avid collector, selling for a profit or you have stumbled onto a treasure and it’s whet your appetite for collecting, don’t forget there are plenty of resources available to educate you on what you have found.

And most importantly, collect what you like! Remember the old adage, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. This week’s column is by Jana Colver. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.