Residents can learn the basics of book collecting from expert Kenneth Gloss, the second-generation owner of the Brattle Book Shop who has appeared on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow,” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Cambridge Public Library’s lecture hall, 449 Broadway.

Gloss’ talk will cover popular genres for collectors and how to get started, why some 20th century books may go up in value, while books hundreds of years old may not and some of Gloss’ favorite finds.

The event is called “Is There Value in Your Old & Rare Books?” and participants are asked to bring a book they think may be valuable or of interest. After the talk, Gloss will give free appraisals of the audience’s items.