BookMooch is an international, on-line book exchange community founded by John Buckman in 2006. Membership, which has grown to around 74,000 in over 90 countries, is open to anyone and is free. There is heavy community participation in its running and organisation.

About 500,000 book titles are available and about 2000 books are swapped per day. BookMooch allows its users to exchange books using a points system. Members earn points by adding books to their inventories, by sending books to other members and by providing feedback when they receive books.

The points earned can then be used to “buy” books from other members. All books “cost” the same number of points, with a multiple point surcharge for international mooches. Point exchange takes place at the beginning of any transaction, allowing “currency” to circulate quickly.

Members may opt to send books only within their own country, worldwide, or worldwide upon request. There is no waiting period for a new member to begin to participate in BookMooch. Setting up an initial trading inventory will earn enough points to begin trading immediately.

Forum members encourage new members by keeping an eye out for new inventories and posting links to them. Member pages contain biographical information, conditions of trade and links to their transaction histories. Widgets allow members to personalise their pages and listings.

Links to Amazon sites in various countries allow members to enter books into the system quickly. A notification system e-mails members when a book on their Wishlist becomes available and directs them to the Mooch screen for that book.

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