I have so many books posted on my bookshelf that it is starting to get cumbersome to hang on to all the books until they are requested.  Some were posted recently, but some have been on my bookshelf for almost a year.  Is there anyway to determine how many of these books are available in the system, and where I stand in the request order?  In some cases, if I'm number 312 of 1000 posted and requests are at a rate of 5 per month.... I'd like to donate the book and get it off my shelf.  But if my book is now 5th in line after having been on my shelf for a year, I'd hate to do that.

It is possible to find out how many are in the system (add the book to your Reminder List), but it is not possible to find out where you are in the line after your books have been there a while nor can you tell how the rate of ordering or posting.

You could offer a deal in the Book Bazaar to move some of the heavily posted older books.

You can see how many are in the system by clicking on the book details and then adding it to your reminder list. But no--there is no way to know where you are in the line like you can for the wishlist.  I would look at the more recent entries if you must get rid of some....see how many are in the system. If a book you added just two weeks ago has 200 copies, you might think of donating it somewhere or bringing it to a UBS. If you added one a year ago that has 200 copies in the system, as you say, for all you know, you might be #5 in line and it will get selected soon. There's just no way to know.

When I had issues with space for my PBS shelf (it was then much larger than now) I first unloaded my hardcovers. They take up more space and cost a bit more to send so it was a double savings to unload them at a FOL sale.

Cheryl

Post your books to your Reminder List - (as you've already got the books posted to your BL, just go to the title of the book in your BL, click on it and when the description page comes up, click on REMINDER on the right side of the screen, then back out and go to the next book and do it again.  Depending on how many books you have posted, it might take some time, but in the future, you can post your books to your Reminder List first, and see how many there are and if the number is workable for you, then post from there.  If you want you can take your books off your RL after you've looked to see how many there are.

Having said all that, there's no way to tell where you are in the line unless you put them on the RL first and then post - at that time you'll know where you stand (fairly close), but those that have been posted for a year or so, you might be near the top, depending on how popular they are.  Good luck.  Pat

They are working on a way to show how often books are being requested. Sort of like how on the WL it says "x wishes granted last week, last ordered on x date".  I think it was in a newsletter or on the blog somewhere. Anyway Richard said there's no way to really say which position you are in line because it just changes so much with vacation holds and book time outs and lost books etc...,  But at least then you can see 'well it's getting ordered an average of 10 copies a week and there's only 200 copies posted so mine should be ordered in about 20 wks" and make the decision easier. 

Have you tried running a deal?  You could offer them 3 for 2 or something and try to move some out.

If they are mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi or fantasy you can send them to soldiers through operationpaperback.org.  They don't like romances and you can't send anything with sexy covers. 

Another thing you can do is keep your eye out for your books when you are scanning other people's shelves.  When you find one, check the date they posted it.  If you've had it on your shelf a year, and they have had it on their shelf even longer, it's probably a while before your turn.

I second operationpaperback.org - I do it and it is fun and easy.  The other is if you have a UBS near you that takes credit for each book you bring in (I get 10% of book value.  Then I buy I can use 1/2 of the credit total to apply against my purchase.  Check out the store first and make sure they have books you would want.  They are a hit or miss. 

you might also try some of the other book swapping websites.  I have had some luck with books that didnt move on PBS on other sites. 

Library thing is a book cataloging website and has this comparison of book swapping websites. 

They all have their differences in the way they work and what is available from other members.  I recommend listing on your favorite site and giving it a little time, then listing on the others if it doesn't move. 

I like PBS the best so far, but the others have helped me get rid of some more books.