On one of the books that I requested there is a message that says the book owner has not responded to my request. Do I immediately cancel the request? Should I wait? This site is kind of confusing to a new user. Can someone help me to decide what to do ? Thanks in advance. 

If it says "Waiting for member" as the status, you don't need to do anything.  All that means is that the person who posted the book hasn't checked their account yet and confirmed that they're able to mail the book.  As soon as they log on and say they're able to mail it, it will give you the date they said they'd mail it by.  Then when they mark that they've mailed it, it will show up on the "En Route to Me" tab.

Hopefully that answers your question.  There's no need to cancel the request unless you've decided you don't want the book.  In my opinion, this system runs really smoothly; hopefully you'll agree as you get used to it.  Welcome to the site.

There is a red X on the book icon. I do want the book. Do you know what the red X means. Sorry to be such a dunce. I think I explained it wrong. Thanks for replying.

Hmm... now you've got me confused.  If you're on your main "My Account" page and the book shows up under the "Books I've Requested" tab, then the system is working to try to find someone to mail it to you.  But I've never seen a red X anywhere on that page.

If you're looking at your transaction archive and there's a smaller icon with a red X to the left of the book cover image, that means the person who had posted the book either didn't respond in time, or they said they couldn't mail it for some reason.  If someone else posted a copy of the book (same ISBN), then your request automatically rolled to that person (and it should still show up on "My Account" under "Books I've Requested").  If nobody else had a copy of that book available, then it should have automatically been put on your Wish List, and you'll be first in line the next time someone posts it.

She has to be looking at her Transaction Archives, Christopher, that's the only place a Red X shows.

Hazel, Christopher's 2nd paragraph has the right of it. Since this transaction was cancelled by default of the original sender one of two things has now happened:

If there was another book listed in the system, it was ordered for you, and you now have another one listed under either "Books I've Ordered" or "Books Enroute to Me" or you already received a copy of this book.

If there was no other copy available, the book was placed on your Wish List and you will receive a notice when the next copy of the book is posted.

Hope that unconfuses both of you :)

Thanks to all who replied. I feel better now. Apparently the book was rolled over to another sender, because it's back on my requested list as of today! I love the site again, because of special, helpful people like you.  Now I know where to come when I need help. Thanks so much.