Allan Stypeck Jr., one half of the book-collecting duo known as “The Book Guys,” will be the featured speaker at the Friends of the Library annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 13, at 11:30 a.m.
The Friends of the Library is a group of volunteers who support library staff, events and programs through the donation of time and money.
The Friends’ meeting and luncheon costs $10 per person and will be held at the Chattanooga Theatre Center, 400 River Street.
Mr. Stypeck, along with Mike Cuthbert, hosted the National Public Radio program, “The Book Guys,” for several years. The show ceased production earlier this year due to economic constraints.
Mr. Stybeck is also the owner of Second Story Books in Washington, D.C., one of the world’s largest purveyors of rare and collectible books. He is also an Accredited Senior Member of the American Society of Appraisers.
His certification, plus decades of experience selling and collecting books, gives Mr. Stypeck a unique insight into the history of books and their value. He hopes to share that unique perspective with Friends’ luncheon and meeting attendees.
Following the annual meeting and luncheon, Mr. Stypeck will be available for individual book appraisals. The on-the-spot book appraisal technique was the key to his radio program, he once explained.
The show featured callers from around the world who would ask questions regarding the value of particular books. Mr. Stypeck, with more than 30 years experience as a bookseller, offered his evaluation and other knowledge of the book.
“Callers describe their book to me and I put a price on it after asking a few questions,” he said. “However, it’s not just about the valuation – we talk about the significance of the book, how they came to own it and wider issues associated with the author or the genre.”
The Friends of the Library luncheon and meeting is open to the public. Call 757-5425 by Nov. 11 to make reservations.