Used bookstores, once havens for avid readers, are now experiencing a surprising resurgence in sales driven by AI companies. These companies are purchasing books in bulk, often unaware of the destination by the sellers themselves. Recent legal rulings have indicated that AI companies can train their models on copyrighted works if they compensate for the materials. This has led AI companies to seek out cheaper sources of information, with used books fitting this need efficiently.One method employed is "destructive scanning," where books are physically disassembled to scan their pages for AI training. While companies like Anthropic claim to avoid acquiring and destroying rare or antiquarian books, the potential for this to happen is a concern for collectors. It is suggested that other AI companies might not have the same restrictions, potentially targeting valuable historical texts. Indeed, one shipment containing a rare book was traced to an Amazon AI training facility that utilizes destructive scanning.Most used booksellers cannot identify their bulk buyers due to anonymizing intermediaries like Biblio. Despite potential ethical concerns, the financial boost from these large orders is significant for many bookstores struggling in a declining market. Book sales have fallen considerably since their peak in 2007, requiring many businesses to adapt or cease operations. This new demand, however, offers a vital lifeline to these establishments.