BookRelay

BookRelay was a website offshoot of BookCrossing in that it used BCIDs (book-tracking identity numbers from the official site) for the Relays. The site was not associated with BookCrossing. To join and participate in BookRelay, one had to be a member of BookCrossing, and have books registered on one's BookCrossing bookshelf. One also needed to register at BookRelay with the same screen name as used on BookCrossing.

BookRelay was funded by member donations. As of June 30, 2006, BookRelay had 2435 members. It closed in January 2007, and the site no longer exists.

History
The idea of a BookRelay originally came from a forum posting at BookCrossing made by kikimasu. The idea involved making a book available to a list in exchange for a book on that list.

Name
There was some discussion over what this type of BookRay should be called. Names like "Pay-it-Forward BookRay", "Cascading BookRay", and "Waterfall" were suggested. settled on "BookRelay" on account of it being his own coined term.

How it Works
Information from BookRelay FAQ, page no longer exists

The idea of Relay is that there are lists of books that people want to send to new homes and interested readers. Each list has its own theme or restrictions, and only the book at the top of the list is available for trade (unless noted otherwise).

If you see something you like in the relay index, click on the relay name to see the full list for that particular relay. Then pick a book on your BookCrossing bookshelf that you'd like to offer in trade. You can then accept the offered book, and your offer goes to the top of the list. This way there's always something at the top of the relay's list that needs a new home.

The relays are grouped into themes - some general, some specific - and books you're offering must fit the same theme as the books being accepted. No one polices the relays, it's all run on the honor system.

Each relay can possibly go on indefinitely. A relay ends when a book has been offered for ten days and another member has not selected it. At that point the relay goes to the Morgue. Only the originator of the relay and the person who made the final offer can resurrect it once it has died and been placed in the Morgue, however the owner of the book is usually willing to resurrect the relay if you request it.

Example

You see Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding offered on the "Chick Lit" relay.

You've got a copy of Good in Bed (Chick Lit) that you're willing to trade.

You click on the Chick Lit relay, enter the BCID (Book Crossing ID number taken from your personal BookCrossing bookshelf) for Good in Bed, and send a PM (personal message) to the owner of Bridget Jones' Diary to let the owner know you have accepted their offer.

Now your book, Good in Bed, is moved to the top of the "Chick Lit" relay - waiting for the next person to claim it. You've got a copy of Bridget Jones' Diary coming to you in the mail.

Closing of BookRelay
As of 19th January 2007 BookRelay remains closed until further notice. Some former members have started a forum to stay in touch and discuss BookRelay's future, called BookObsessed.com.

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