LANCASTER — For anyone who has ever enjoyed time in a used bookstore and wondered about the stories behind the stories, Ken Gloss has been there — and then some.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 2 to 3 p.m., the Thayer Memorial Library will welcome the longtime owner of Boston’s legendary Brattle Book Shop for a presentation titled “A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books.”

In his presentation, Gloss will talk about some of his favorite finds and will describe some of the joys of the “hunt.” He will talk, in part, about the history of the shop, (which goes back to 1825), being a second-generation owner, and growing up in the book business.

Gloss says he has many anecdotes to share about private and institutional book collecting as well as guidelines for starting a collection.

After the talk, attendees are invited to take part in a Q&A session, followed by free verbal appraisals of books brought from home — an opportunity that may turn a dusty volume into a surprising piece of history.

A member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, and a Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Gloss appraises collections for major universities including Harvard, Boston University, Boston College and Tufts University’s Fletcher School. He also brings his passion for books to a wider audience as the host of the bi-weekly podcast “Brattlecast: A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books.”

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a casual reader or simply curious about the hidden lives of books, the afternoon promises insight, stories and the enduring magic of the printed page.

For more information, or to register, visit the library’s website at thayermemoriallibrary.org or call 978-368-8928. For more information on Ken Gloss and Brattle Book Shop, visit brattlebookshop.com.