I got a hardcover reading book that has a lock attached to the book, but I didn't receive the key. The lock will open if pried, but if it's pried opened too much it'll eventually break & then it'll just be hanging there.

Questions - Is it a RWAP without the key? If not, will it be repostable if the lock does break?

Wow!  Do you mind sharing what book it is?  Is it a diary or journal?  I am trying to imagine what book would have a lock on it!

No, it's a reading book. There are a few blank pages throughout for you to write your own story, but we ordered it for the short stories. It's Dragon Adventures.

There is a part inthe rules where it says any book that is supposed to have things with it must have those things included, whether it's a cd, a trinket or whatever, so I would say RWAP. I've had a few used textbooks that were supposed to have cds with them but the cd was missing so I didn't post them.

The book description does say it comes with a key....I would RWAP.

Here's what the help docs say:

Supplementary/Accompanying Materials:

• Books that originally came with supplementary Media materials may be posted -  the supplementary Media materials MUST be included.

  • supplementary Media materials include CD(s)/CD-ROMs/DVD(s)/VHS tape(s)
  • if the book originally included supplementary Media materials, the supplementary materials must accompany the book for the book to be postable.
  • The supplementary materials cannot be posted alone - both the book and the supplementary media must be included in the posting.  
  • These combination listings are valued at 1 credit.

• Books that require non-Media supplementary materials MAY NOT be posted

  • an example would be a book that requires a decoder or craft materials
  • these items cannot be sent MediaMail
  • These items cannot be posted here - because a used book cannot be expected to have original accompanying NON-media items, and if the book is not usable without the non-media items, the book must not be posted.

• Books that originally had accompanying non-Media materials that are not required to read the book (ie, jewelry) MAY be posted.
  • The extra material does not have to be included, and if it is included, the book must not be sent using Media mail rate.
  • Since this is a used-book swap, members should not expect to receive non-Media items with their books.
• Books that require batteries to work do NOT have to include the batteries, but the books MUST be in working condition.

• The member who sends a book that requires batteries must test the book before posting it, and again before sending it.  The batteries do not have to be included when it is shipped (although they can be), but the item must have been tested and working before the item is sent.

Hmm. Personally I think the key is required as you shouldn't have to pick the lock open to read the book and it's probably awkward to have it open when not in use.

The book description DOES say it comes with a key, and if you have to damage the lock to get it open, I'd say it's required.   The key is part of that story too (we have it at the library).

If the non-media is not required to use the book, then the requester should not expect a used book to have it regardless of what the description says (the Team's words not mine). If the book requires the non-media to be used, then the book should not ever be posted without it.

Does the book automatically lock everytime it is closed? Was it sent locked? If the book can be used without locking it, then the key is not required and would not be a RWAP.