What's the point of having your bookshelf as "private?" Swapping only with folks you've friended? Can anyone still request from you due to FIFO?  I'm too tired to think it through...

FIFO is the only option when a member sets their bookshelf to private.  To do so excludes posting/requesting directly to/from another member.  Can't remember what happens to Gold Key members.

Some members feel very strongly about FIFO, feel the need for more personal privacy, or other reasons for making their bookshelf private.  Others have a private wishlist...same applies, and they will only receive books posted FIFO.

Yes, someone can receive books through FIFO - thats the only way they can receive books with their Bookshelf set to private.

Reasons?

Some people didn't realize that was the default setting and never changed it after joining.

Some people don't want friends and family to know what they read and swap.

Some people don't want someone to be able to order a book directly from them to try to get their address from a return address label.

Some people believe in FIFO and don't want people to order directly from them.

Some people have no books posted and don't want PMs asking why or accusing them of bad things for requesting but not posting.

Some people are nervous and just set everything they possibly can to private.

Ah, now I see how an un-public bookshelf can still get requests. Melaine, thorough list of reasons. Thanks for the insights.