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Guidance

ILAB has prepared a set of guidelines to help with reporting and investigating missing and stolen books and antiquarian material. Please consult the documents below for more detailed information.

Becoming a victim of theft, robbery or fraud can be a traumatising and deeply unsettling experience. Reporting a stolen or missing item is an important part of the process in deterring thieves as a reported stolen book is much harder to sell. To make this process as easy as possible some of the key questions asked are answered below. If you have any further questions, please email the ILAB Secretariat who will do their utmost to help.

The Missing Books Register was created and is hosted by the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), to aid in the recovery of missing or stolen titles, and to discourage future thefts. ILAB takes a strong stance against theft, fraud, and forgeries. ILAB works closely with all its 22 member associations and their members as well as a network of libraries, archives, and law enforcement agencies.

Any individual or organisation, involved in the storing, handling, collecting, and preserving of rare and valuable books and antiquarian material, is encouraged to report to the Missing Books Register as well as searching the site proactively.