SharedBookshelves

To use this site, you do first have to sign up, but it's very quick and free!

The aim of this site is to facilitate the sharing of Christian books. Users list the books they own and link up with others at the same church so that members can search their network for books they want to read. An example of this kind of intra-church book-sharing can be found here for St Helen's Bishopsgate in London, UK.

Once registration is complete, you'll want to start adding books you're willing to lend to other people. Straight away you'll be presented with the option of adding books from a suggestion list of popular titles. Alternatively, use the form to search via keyword or ISBN for specific books and add them to your list that way.

Clicking on [+] beside a title adds it to your list and [w] adds it to your wishlist (i.e. the list of books you want to read). On the suggestions list there's also the option to click [x], which allows you to discard the suggestion - that title will not show up in future! Revisit the page anytime by selecting Add books in the right-hand menu.

Browsing the books already known to belong to members of the church family is another good way to find books you yourself might own. Do this by selecting Search church books. Books you want to read can also be found here and added to your wishlist. The number of copies of each title is shown and clicking on the number takes you to a page with specific information about the book. Names of the owners (and those wishing to read it) are shown along with any reviews.

The list of members in your church who have joined this site can be browsed. A summary of the number of books they've listed and wished for is shown. Via this page you can browse a specific member's profile, their list of books and wishlist. A method of contacting the person via the site is there too.

Profile pages contain some basic information. Your information is never sold or given away to a third party. Editing which church you go to, changing email preferences and passwords can be done via the profile page.

Books can be added to your list but they can also be removed in the event of you giving it away, losing it or adding one by mistake. Simply use [-] beside the title on your "Own" list. You might notice a [!] symbol beside a title on the list of books you own. This means that someone in your church family has that book on their wishlist. Similarly on your wishlist you'll see the same beside books you want to read that is known to belong to someone in your church. Note that users are notified when a book on their wishlist is added by another user so that they can get in touch with the owner.

It's often useful to note down to whom you've lent a book and perhaps when they borrowed it from you. Use [Add note] to jot down their name so you don't forget.

That's pretty much all there is to it! Sign up now!