While a good book maybe hard to put down, when it comes to the final chapter, more folks are turning their pulp fiction and every other kind of book into cash.

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At Powell's City of Books ,known for buying used titles,more folks taking a read on the economy.

Standing in line at the Used Book counter, Loyal Lang has been here before. He's back today to sell part of his history book collection.

"A number of books on military history", he says proudly.

And now some of his books will make new history. You don't have to read between the lines to know why.

"I'm getting cash". he said. The money he gets today will help pay his moving expenses. He says he'll be lucky if he sells half of the books he's brought to the store.

Used books account for about 45 percent of Power's overall sales according to Chris Hagen, Powell's Used Book Manager.

"We're buying between three and five thousand books a day". he said.

Hagen says this time of year is always busy, but so far this year sales and buy backs are up significantly. "We can see in the middle of the day a line that will extend beyond the length of the table and up to the ramp". he said.

Hagen says folks are clearing off their home shelves for any number of reasons. " Spring cleaning or they have to pay taxes. They want to pay off the credit card from the trip they took on spring break". he said.

At Powell's warehouse on North 29th street, people from around the country sell their used books here on-line. When dollars are tight many folks opt to buy a used copy over new to save. For the book buyers, on-line and in-store, buying is part book smarts and technology.

A data base keeps track of what's needed and what sells. And as for Loyal Lang, he now knows you CAN judge a book by its cover.

"I sold everything, so I’m happy". said Lang with a check for $174 in hand.

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