do you give the books back after you are done?

The books you get here are yours to keep and do with what you want.  You can keep them, give them away, repost them to PBS.  But you don't give them back to the person that sent them.  You pay one credit for the book, so it's yours. 

great!!!! this is definitely what i was looking for thanks. i went to buy the book hard love by ellen wittlinger and they only sold it online and it would take a month to get. how long does this take?

Alicia, it really depends. (I know that's not an answer you're looking for, LOL!)

If it's a book that has several copies in the system, it can take up to 5 days for the first person to respond to your request. If the person doesn't respond, it will go to the second person in line who will also have 5 days, etc. If it's a book with many copies in the system, you may come across an abandoned account and have to wait it out.

Once a person accepts a book order, the book must be mailed sometime in the next 5 days (though they get a grace period). Most folks mail fairly promptly so that they'll get a credit more quickly. :)

If it's a small PPB you're ordering, it might be light enough to be mailed first class. If so, it'll arrive in about a week. If the book goes media mail, it could take up to a month (though response rates are usually much faster. See the "Pulse of PBS" link in the community tab up top.)

If the book is a wish list book, it depends on how often the book is posted and how many people are in front of you in line.

For books already in the system, I almost always receive the book within 3 weeks, and it's often much less than that. WL books have been too variable.

Sorry I can't be more specific, but it's just not that definite. :)

the paperback version of this book has 12 copies in the system (didn't check on the HB but there are some since you can order it).  as Jane said, it depends on how quickly someone will accept the order and drop it in the mail to you.  You could get it faster than ordering it online or longer.  If you don't have to have it soon, I would use a credit vs paying for the book.