Good to know

Credits are a deposit. The owner decides what their book is worth, from 1 to 10 credits. When you have the book in your hands, that many of your credits are held by its owner. When you return it, they go straight back to you. Nobody is charged for borrowing; the deposit is there so books come home.

Why they matter. Your balance limits how many books you can hold at once, and a book that never comes back costs its borrower the deposit. Every new member starts with 5 credits. Credits you hold for a book you've lent aren't yours to spend until it's returned.

Books with a real ISBN go on the shelf at once. The ISBN is the barcode number on the back cover: scan it and the details fill in, and we check with Open Library that it's a real book. A book with no ISBN, or one we can't find, is looked at by an admin first. Books shared before this system began keep the value an admin gave them. If something is wrong with a book, tap the ⚑ on it and an admin will look.

When an owner accepts your request, you both get an email with the next hub day and time. You can also agree a time directly.

The meet-up code. Your account shows a 4-digit code. When you meet, show it to the owner. They type it and the hand-over is confirmed for both of you on the spot. The I got the book and I handed it over buttons still work if someone forgets.

Returning. The owner has a code too. When you give the book back, they show it and you type it. Or tap I returned it and the owner confirms.

More time? Ask once for 7 more days. The owner says yes or no.

If it doesn't happen. Nobody is penalised. If a hand-over isn't done within 7 days the request lapses, the book goes back in the catalog and your credits are freed. We send friendly reminders, and a volunteer may check in.

• An owner's email and phone stay hidden until they accept your request. Owners are only asked once you request their book.
• Every book has a unique ID (LIB-0001…) on a label inside the cover.
• Hand-overs and returns are confirmed with a short code you both see when you meet, so nobody has to take anyone's word for it.
• Only verified members can borrow.

Return date: the person sharing a book chooses how long you can keep it, and you see that before you ask. The clock starts when you confirm you have the book. Library-owned books are lent for 14 days. Give it back to its owner (or at the hub) and tap I returned it. The owner then confirms.

Lost: a book that isn't returned within 10 days of its return date counts as lost. The borrower then loses 5 credits and the owner receives 5 credits. If the book turns up, the credits are put back. We'll email a reminder when it's overdue.

Damaged (torn pages, water): replace the book. Normal reading wear is fine.

Your credit balance can go below zero. At -10 credits your account is locked and you'll be asked to contact an admin. An admin can help if that happens.

No ads. No spam. No selling books. The Library doesn't currently collect any money from members. Every decision is shared openly with members.