Hello all!

I'm a new member who's still figuring out 'swap manners.'  How do you all handle names in books?  Is there a 'coverage' method that is preferred?  [ie, neat black marker, white paint, taped piece of paper...]  Many of the books I'm posting have my name and number written in them [paranoid elementary bibliophile :D] and I would like to cover them as securely as possible without hurting the condition in the book.

Can you help me, please?

Thank you so much!

Nicole/Lauren [I go by both]

I've never been one to write my name in books.  I've received a lot with them in there though.  I think the preferred thing is to not attempt to cover it up.  The amount of marker to cover it enough so it can't be read would probably make the book unpostable.  White out would make the book unpostable. A piece of paper taped over it could just be removed and people would probably complain about damage to the book if it ruined the page.  Maybe a label over it but then you could probably still read it through the label.

Hi Nicole,  You can use a sticker or an opaque label without any problem. It would be just like a BookCrossing label  or a bookplate and those are allowed.

From Help Center BookCrossing books may have stickers or stamps or markings on the outside or inside covers. These may not obscure text.

• A bookplate inside the cover or on the flyleaf is OKAY

I would find a cute sticker which would cover your name and phone number, slap it on and send your books out. LOL

Have a great weekend.

Margaret, that's a great idea.  I haven't listed a few of my books for that very reason.  Duh.  Thanks!

Thank you so much!  So any kind of sticker that doesn't obsure text....hmmmm....this could be fun!

That's a great idea!

White out would make the book unpostable.

Margaret - is this the case if it's on the inside cover?  Thanks!

I would think a sticker would find as long as it's not on a text page.  Most people put their name on that first inside page where's there's either quotes, blank or an excerpt.  Inside cover should be fine as well.

I'm thinking white out would be a no-no.  I don't think it's specified in the rules but to me it would fall under staining.  Personally it wouldn't bother me that much if it was kept under control. But I don't know what kind of damage that would do to the paper's integrity-it could seep through or get on another page or something.

White out would seem to fall into the writing category.  It's a kind of paint/ink to me.   Most people wouldn't confuse white out with an ick stain.  I'd think you could Sharpie it out as long as you put someting to blot any bleed through.  However, the sticker sounds like the most pleasant idea.

From the Help center:

http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_item.php?id=205

No writing or highlighting or underlining on text pages

• a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY

I was wondering about this as well. I just left the names there untouched.

I don't know for certain of course, but I'm thinking since she said she had her name and number in the books, perhaps she doesn't want her number going out to everyone who requests her books.  I've left my name in some, but I don't think I want my number out there.

Since you can write you name in marker and its OK, I'd think that crossing out your name with a marker would be OK too as long as it was done neatly. I do like Margaret's suggestion of putting another sticker or label over it since it would be the neatest way. If you were concerned about someone pulling off the sticker and seeing your info, why not marker it out first and then put a nice sticker over it to conceal the marker?

as a side, I really don't mind names or labels inside my books. I got a lot of nice HC books from a woman selling off her whole collection and every time I open a cover and see her label I smile and think oh this is one from XXX, kind of a nice history of the book.

I always use a black marker and neatly cross the name out.