I have a question about some writing on the inside cover.

I bought a book yesterday at a thrift store.  It is in brand new condition except for some writing on the inside cover.  Someone bought this book for his mother, and jotted down an inscription to his Mom.  "Mom hope you enjoy the book. Love------."    Can I post this book?    If I received a book with this small amount of writing, I wouldn't have a problem with it, but as you know some folks just might.  What would you do?  (I don't think  "Mom " even opened the book.)   What are your thoughts?

My thoughts are it's postable.

Your book is postable!  From the help center (I realize this is about the pages, not the cover, but I would think the same applies to the cover):

No writing or highlighting or underlining on text pages

• a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY
• an author's signature on the title page is OKAY
• writing or highlighting on the text pages is NOT OKAY 

That's what I thought.  I'll read then post the book.  Thanks!

That's good to know. My husband's parents and sister buy him books and they always write some mush in them. He has no idea why they ruin a book that way either. His mom will write something like, "Son, I am so proud of you. Happy birthday, love Mom." Can't they put that stuff in the card? Sheesh!

Bravescatz,

      I know, as a almost 4 month PBS member (still a newbie, I guess), that most of us are now more careful about not putting underlining, etc. in books.  However, when someone gives a book as a gift, an inscription makes that gift much more memorable.  Remember that the giver is not giving the book with the thought that the recipient will trade the book.  In fact, I would be disappointed to receive a book as a gift that was not inscribed.  Let's assume that the book is a keeper.  A card gets lost; an inscription will be there as a reminder of the thought behind the gift.

Thanks for posting about the hi-lighting.  I was going to post some textbooks, and now I know not to.  :)

~Karen~

Karen, actually highlighting/underlining in TEXTBOOKS is ok to post! 

Here's the rest of the Help Center guidelines:

writing or highlighting on the text pages is NOT OKAY

• Exception: if it is a textbook or workbook, these are expected to have highlighting/underlining/writing
  • if you post a textbook/workbook, the condition must be described to the requestor in a Personal Message
  • AND the described condition MUST BE AGREED TO before the book is sent
  • This is the one of the ONLY two cases in which a PM exchange about a book is required before the book can be sent(the other is for cookbooks--see below).

Thanks, Rhonda. I did not know that. And I had to go look at the help docs so I could see what it says about cookbooks, too.

Pet Peeve Alert: I actually have "no writing or highlighting" as a condition even though I know it is a rule not to post such books. And I still get books with writing & underlining & highlighting. Grr. It usually isn't worth it to complain or fight with the sender about it, but oooh! it bugs me.

I even say I don't mind an inscription or library markings, etc., just please don't send me books that have markings on the text!

Love PBS anyway!

kathy, here is the info about cookbooks from the help docs

Personally I think it would be easier to just not allow books with writing/highlighting inside at all... I posted one and forgot the step to PM first, and even though I accepted fault and returned the credit, the recipient was really angry about it.  And it really does needlessly complicate the system to have to remember to PM for specific books and remember which ones are written in and which ones aren't blah blah... just not worth the headache, IMHO. But if you are really careful it really is OK per the system rules--your choice.  :)

Writing on the inside cover, OTOH, is perfectly OK.  I've posted several ex-library books and they almost always have writing on the inside cover but knowing they are library books and OK per site rules I've never had a problem with them.  :)  I just posted one that is signed by the author to an individual (that I got on PBS, read, and am sending on)... makes me a little sad that the author gave it to someone who apparently didn't think it was worth keeping, but that wasn't my call!

Would it be OK  to put a nice bookplate over and inscription inside the cover?   Just wondering.  Also, if you told the person it had some underlining or highlighting and they don't mind can you still send it?  I am learning, please help.

Frances

The reason they allow highlighting and writing in text books and cook books is that it's common for these to have writing.  There would be a lot less of them posted if they didnt' allow it for textbooks and cookbooks.  Cookbooks are even allowed to have some stains.  You just have to PM the person to let them know ahead of time.  Although I think people are being a bit unrealistic to ask for cookbooks and textbooks on here and not expect them to have some writing, highlighting or stains.