FAQ 1-Printable Version
I just joined. How do I get started?
How to BookCross in 7 Easy Steps
1. Pick a book-one you've read or one you haven't.
2. Click on "Register Book" (look in the left hand column of any BC page-click on the triangle next to Member links. That will open that menu.
3. Follow the directions to register the book and get a BCID.
4. Write the BCID in ink inside the front cover, in case the label is ever lost.
5. Put a label inside the front cover with the BCID and url-put clear packing tape over it.
6. Add additional markings to make the book noticeable.
7. Leave it in a public place.
There is much more to BC than just this, but these are the basics. Read on for the details.
What are the rules of BookCrossing?
There are really only two immovable, un-challengeable rules in BookCrossing--one book=one BCID, and do not leave books at airports or on planes. More on both of these later.
What is a BCID?
BookCrossing ID-each book you register is given a 9 digit identification number, unique to that copy of the book only. The first 3 numbers should never be posted on the forums-they are a bit of a secret in order to insure that no one can make a journal entry unless the book is in their possession.
What is an ISBN?
This stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a unique number given to a book by the publisher. The numbers will vary according to the country of origin. Our BC member, Selanna-Blue is studying library science. She sent me an excellent definition of ISBN's, which is too long to add here. You will find this excellent explanation HERE.
Why can't I find the ISBN for my book?
First, look on the back and inside the front cover. Still can't find it? Could be one of several reasons your book is missing the ISBN. Your book may have been printed before they were used (30 years ago) or it may have been printed by a small, private company or vanity press.
Ok, I found the ISBN, but the registration page says they can't find the book. What's wrong, and what do I do now? Can I still register the book?
Don't worry! The BC database is linked to amazon.com, which simply may not have your book in their database . Just enter the title and author manually. PLEASE NOTE: the BC database is set up to enter the author's first name first. Another possible reason is that the ISBN must be typed with numbers only. Although it shows up in your book with spaces and hyphens, you must omit these when entering it on the registration page. Numbers only-no spaces or hyphens.
Why don't I see the little picture of my book?
If your book is old, or published in another country, or sometimes for no reason that I can think of, the amazon database won't recognize your book. If it was printed in the UK, go to amazon.com.uk or amazon.com.ca. Don't worry, a picture isn't necessary. Sometimes, amazon.com will show a variety of ISBN's for a book. You might try using one of their ISBN's, even though it isn't the exact same editon as yours. Another BC'er recently discovered that sometimes, if you put in the title and author manually, then go up and manually put in the ISBN, it will sometimes magically produce a picture.
Is it ok to register things that aren't books, like magazines, phone directories, or catalogues?
No, BookCrossing is only for--well, books. Audio books do qualify as books though. There is even a category for them on the registration page. Magazines and other things do not have an ISBN, they are not usually durable enough to withstand the travels, and frequently, the material is quickly outdated. However, we are a group of wide interests, and members sometimes trade among themselves, without registering the item. For example, there are literary magazines and sci-fi magazines that do not become outdated. I think it would be perfectly acceptable to offer these to members on the wish list forum--without registering the item.
Do I have to read it before I register or release it?
I think that BC member, Sparky-Redhead, answered this best, so, with her permission, I will copy her answer here.
"The answer to most questions like this is: It's totally up to you. Release whatever you want, whenever you want, whether you've actually read it or not. Personally, I have a huge TBR pile of my own, but all of those books are at least registered. That way, if I lose one of them, whoever finds it might journal it. I've also run into the problem of wanting to release more books but not having any more that aren't in the TBR pile. I've come across a few solutions:
1) A few BookCrossers have actually sent me entire boxes of books to release on their behalf. I guess they have so many that they don't have time to release them all, and I'm more than happy to help out.
2) My mother has gotten friends of hers to give her their old books instead of throwing them out or giving them to the library. There are a couple of big sacks of them in her closet in NC, just waiting for me to come get them.
3) Check http://www.booksalefinder.com for used book sales in your area. I found a monthly one near me that has 10 cent paperbacks! I had a great time looking for stuff that I've already read, and I also found a few (like Breakfast of Champions) whose titles just shout to be released in a particular spot."
Thanks, Sparky. Now, I will add a suggestion for journal entries for those books you haven't read. You can copy the blurb on the back cover, or, after registration, you can look just below the title and find the line, "booksellers". Then, you click on amazon (or any of the others, I imagine), cut and paste what you want to use from their synopsis, and go back to your journal entry. At the end of the journal entry, you will see "Edit journal entry". Click this, add the new info, and save. Why do this? Sometimes, as people are looking at your shelf, they will see an interesting title, and it is always nice if the owner included something about the book. Not required you understand, just nice.
What are status options?
First, you must remember that these codes, like much of BC, are subject to individual interpretation. However, these are the most commonly used methods. One very important point-the status is set by the last person to journal the book. So, if person A has a book and sends it to Person B, then Person B will set the option. However, the book, and it's current option, will always show up on the shelves of anyone who has had it. So, it is possible for a book to show up on Person A's shelf as available, even though he no longer has it. In this case, it will say, "Available-status set by TexasWren". This is why it is absolutely essential that you read all of the journal entries before requesting a book.
TBR-to be read. This means that the book is being held for the moment because the current owner plans to read it when he has time. It may be a bookring book.
Available. This means that the last journaler has the book in their possession. It does not mean that it is automatically available for trade or RABCK. No one is ever required to send a book to anyone. Read the last journaler's profile to see if they are open to trades. If so, then a nice PM, offering a trade, would be ok.
Reserved. This one has a lot of meanings, depending on the current owner. It may mean that he is holding it for a promised trade, he may have a themed release in mind and is waiting for the right moment, or many other possibilities.
Traveling. This is used for the books which have been released into the wild. It will show up when a release note is made. However, many people still use release notes instead of journal entries for trades or mailed books, where the recipient is known. (Please read "what is the difference between a release note and a journal entry").
If you choose that method, please use the "Controlled release" zone instead of something like "Post Office".
Personal Collection. Reno has said that it is ok to register our personal collection, in preparation for the time that all of our books will be released. Generally, these are books you don't plan to release during your lifetime. However, this isn't set in stone. Everyone reserves the right to change their minds later!
How should I label the book I just registered
You have several choices. You can buy beautiful labelling supplies from the BC Supply Store, and support BC at the same time, or, you can download the labels from the BC site, (look in the left margin, under Books, on the BC site for a link), you can copy other people’s labels, (the links page here and the labels page on BC contains links to several members who have posted labels on their sites for us to copy), you can make your own, or you can handwrite the information. Just be sure each one contains the url, www.BookCrossing.com and a space to write in the BCID. Be sure to make your labels noticeableand fasten them on really well so that the label and the book can spend their lives together. I put mine inside the front cover and put clear packing tape over it. It is never a bad idea to write the BCID and the url on a few select pages just in case they become separated. It is also a good idea to mark the book in other ways. Frankly, the more noticeable your book is, the better chance someone will notice it, pick it up and read about BC, and journal the book. Suggestions include using bright post-it’s on the cover saying “FREE BOOK! Please take me home!” or “I’m not lost! I was left for you to enjoy!” Some people use paper belly bands around the book with this message. You can write the BCID across the top of
the pages, and write www.BookCrossing.com on the fore-edge (the pages opposite the spine). Maybe add a note on the last page reminding them of the BCID and asking them to journal. Make a BC bookmark or make copies of some of the
articles that have appeared in the media to fold inside the book. A recent trend is to wrap a ribbon or bow on the outside. Read the Release Techniques forum for more ideas.
Where do I release books?
Anywhere but airports or airplanes!
We try to always use good common sense with our release locations. In other words, don’t leave them where they might be a security issue, (some NY members have stopped leaving them on or around subways), and don’t leave adult material
where a child could easily get it. We have recently learned that we should not leave books on US Federal property, such as parks or national monuments. These books will be taken up. We want everyone to learn about bookcrossing and always come away with a favorable opinion of us.
Ok, I’ve discussed where NOT, so let’s talk about where. Cafes, restaurants, coffee houses, those newspaper boxes for free papers, a bus, hospitals, doctor’s offices, anywhere people have to wait, on top of ATM’s, the DMV, museums, park benches, gyms, etc. One more thing, be careful about releasing books where books are sold--we don’t want anyone to find one of our books and be accused of shoplifting!
What happens to my books when I leave them somewhere? How can I be sure that they will be captured and journaled?
Well, the truth is that we never know what happens to a wild book--that’s its karma. Sometimes, a person who loves to read will find a book that speaks to them--that’s serendipity. Sometimes, people take them and never make journal entries--that’s frustrating!! BookCrossing is about letting go and letting your book find its own way in the world.All you can do is to make sure that you have prepared them for their adventure--visible BCID, secure labels, something to catch the public’s attention, and a careful choice of location. The bottom line is that a lot of books are captured and never journaled.
We have a lot of bad weather here. What can I do?
The Supply Store sells some adorable plastic bags just for this purpose. Lacking those, you can put the book in a clear ziplock bag with a bright “Free Book” sticky note on it.
What is the difference between a release note and a journal entry?
On the “Release Notes” page of the BC site, Ron tells us that if you are giving the book to a known individual, make journal entries. If the recipient is unknown, make a release note.
So, if you leave the book in a café or on a park bench, it is a wild book-you don’t know who will get it---make a release note. This way, the book gets one of those cute little running book logos and appears on the “Go Hunting”
page. Other members can, and do, go out hunting for this book.
If you give the book to your sister or a co-worker, or if you mail it to another book crosser, make a journal entry---you do know the recipient.
This brings up another issue--some feel that sending a book through the mail should be a release note, since so many things can happen to the book--things besides reaching the intended recipient. I will tell you my view of this, and leave you to make your own choice. The only books that I consider to be wild are those than can be hunted by anyone. Ok, you are saying, “If I leave a book in the break room at work, not everyone can hunt it.” That’s right, but anyone in your building could hunt it. If you look at the go hunting page for your town, I think you will see what I mean. If you prefer to use a release note, please use the "Controlled Release" option.
There is a lot of controversy about this rule, some choose a different path than me. That’s fine--we may debate it to death in the forums, but no one is penalized for making their own choices.
I would like to start keeping a book journal. Do you have any suggestions?
As a matter of fact, I have a couple of ideas, and I have some really great ideas from fellow BC-er, Tyressia. A book journal can be as simple as a spiral notebook or a database on your computer. Some people even keep them online.
My book journal, which is woefully incomplete, is just a listing of the books I've read, author, and anything that stood out in my mind. Tyressia has developed a list of questions that she tries to answer after each book . These are used in writing a book review for her journal, or maybe for publication at amazon.com, or even on her BC bookshelf.
Directly from Tyressia:
"Ihave a questionnaire of 12 questions I answer each time I finish reading a book. These help me greatly when composing a review. When I published these questions on the forum, there seemed to be great interest in them, and someone suggested that I should send them to you in case you think this might be something others would be interested in.
Here are the questions:
1. Why did you enjoy the book?
2. What did you dislike about the book?
3. What comments do you have on the writing style?
4. What are your impressions on the plot/story line?
5. Were there any memorable/favorite characters? Which ones and why?
6. What were the memorable themes?
7. Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?
8. Is the book cover attractive?
9. What impressions does the book title leave you with?
10. Would you read anything else by this author?
11. Do you have any favorite quotes from the book? What are they?
12. How would you rate this book overall? On a scale of 1-10?
I always encourage those I speak to about the questionnaire to adapt it fortheir own use, adding or taking away questions as best fits them, or the book they just read."
Thanks, Tyressia.