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Original poster

An MN library style thing idea here, shoot me down in flames if not suitable!

146 replies

piffle · 04/04/2005 21:40

My mum reads about 6 new release paperbacks a weeka dn gives them to me, I read and then send to second hand shops
What I thought was for the price of 2nd class postage (about 80p for paperback) I could send on to a Mn'er who wanted it, they then could advertise on the book title thread when they had read it and could send it on, I know Tescos sell them for £3.73 which is cheap and a library is free, but would anyone be up for this?
I have HUGE list of titles, good stuff to set up with and anyone coould donate?
Whaddya think
Am off to bed now but will look tomorrow and see what people think?

OP posts:
CarrieG · 04/04/2005 21:45

I'm in - I tend to buy way too many new books so this would save me money AND space!

Demented · 04/04/2005 21:56

Brilliant idea, would imagine it would work better than the book swaps which relied on you having a title the MNetter offering the book was after.

hunkermunker · 04/04/2005 22:18

Absolutely fantastic idea - there must be SO many copies of the same books on MNetter shelves! Anything to dwindle my paperback mountain would be wonderful

paolosgirl · 04/04/2005 22:20

Sounds like a great idea!

jjash · 04/04/2005 22:25

Count me in , the more books to read the better

miranda2 · 04/04/2005 22:30

Sounds an excellent idea.

Original poster
piffle · 05/04/2005 08:42

Right will bang try to sort out some kind of easy way of handling it all and log on tonight when kids are sorted to figure some details
thx!!!
imagine all the book shelf space!

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 05/04/2005 08:45

Great idea - a suggestion - it's worth sorting out some sort of sticker to put on the inside of the book to say "Mumsnet Library". I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes due to life I don't get time to read for ages, then I finish the book and think "I know I borrowed this book from someone, now who the hell was it?!"

(I hasten to add, I always make great efforts and never fail to get back a book to its owner, but would be so much more simple if there was a name in the front )

bonym · 05/04/2005 20:23

Great idea - I'd be up for this!

saffy202 · 05/04/2005 20:52

I'd be up for it! Costs 80p at our library to request a book so this sounds great

darlingbud · 05/04/2005 20:59

Good ideas.

mummytosteven · 05/04/2005 21:00

count me in!

bensmum3 · 05/04/2005 22:52

Great idea !

Kayleigh · 05/04/2005 22:54

Like the sound of this.

Marina · 06/04/2005 19:02

Great idea, Piffle, count me in! Inspired
Saffy, in fairness to your local public library, it costs them a lot more than 80p in admin expenses to get you a book even from a different branch of the same authority. Borrowing from a different local authority will cost them at least £3...and at least £7.50 if they have to use the British Library.
Agree it's a lot for the paying punter though (A Librarian Writes)

Dahlia · 06/04/2005 19:08

Brill idea! I would definitely like to join in please.

macwoozy · 06/04/2005 19:14

This sounds great, I've got loads of books that might interest some of you.

Juliehafrancis · 06/04/2005 20:10

Sounds a brilliant idea! I have loads of paperbacks that would be very happy to pass on...

Something like bookcrossing? Might be worth checking out this site

beansprout · 06/04/2005 20:12

I'm up for this too - fab idea.

kid · 06/04/2005 20:14

That link doesn't work but I know that site and its brilliant. I was lucky enough to track down a book that was 20 years old and my MIL had been searching high and low for it.

Juliehafrancis · 06/04/2005 20:26

Oh sorry! its www.bookcrossing.com

Miaou · 06/04/2005 20:37

Ooooh brilliant idea. I was thinking of setting up something like this on a small scale when I lived on an island but I've moved now. I use my local library loads but they are quite limited. Count me in!!!

dyzzidi · 06/04/2005 21:05

Any ideas on how it would work???

I say after just putting 48 books for sale on amazon

I need to sell mine on a regular basis to make room for new ones, not to make money !!!

Would be happy just to send them on to someone so long as they pay postage.

Miaou · 09/04/2005 10:01

OK I have been having a think about this and have a few ideas.

  1. We would need a central database with all the books on it. I would suggest using Microsoft Excel to create one. THere are much better tools but this is one that (almost) everyone will have and therefore can access. The Excel doc will contain book title, author, possibly blurb (lifted from Amazon!!), MN name and email address of book owner, if book is available, and who has the book if not.

  2. Borrowing procedure would work as follows:
    MNer gets hold of "library list" - either by emailing the central database holder, or by the database holder issuing an updated booklist every week or so. They choose a book based on what is available. They contact the book owner by email to arrange sending, exchange RL names and addresses etc. Book owner contacts the central database holder to inform them that the book has been lent out and to who (MN name), so that they can update the database.

  3. Books can be lent out for an indefinite period.

  4. Postage costs - I would suggest these are paid by the sender, just for the sake of simplicity - however, if you find yourself lending out much more than you are borrowing then this could become expensive, so would need to review.

  5. If you want to borrow a book that someone else is borrowing, their MN name will appear on the booklist. You could then either CAT or email them and ask them to post it onto you rather than the book owner.

How does this sound? I am very aware piffle that this was your idea but am happy to help set up/administer a database if we decide to go that way - but don't want to tread on anyone's toes!

Miaou

lilibet · 09/04/2005 10:44

oh this sounds good!