I don't come here often, but I do graze once in a while, especially when I'm in the mood for a new book.

Well it seems to me that somewhere along the line things have changed. For the good or bad, I don't know. Let me explain. Upon searching for a book, I browse all the usual lists only to find that most of the offered books are now to be purchased instead of just requesting the book and it's sent to you!  How do I find lists of books that are not for sale, like it used to be and disregarding the lists that are on sale? Are they under a new category or what?

Can someone help?

Thank you...Lakeshore Reader

If you only want to see books that are currently posted to the system, when you're in the search, under "Search Type" from the drop-down menu choose "Posted Books".

What you are porbably finding James, is that most of the books you seem to be interested in are do not have available copies posted here by members, then your only option is the "buy from Amazon" link, or, possibly buy from PBS market place. You do of course, have the option to add the book to your wishlist.

there are over 5 million books available for "swapping" on this site.  As jennifer said, if you do a search for posted books these are what will appear.

You don't have to buy books here.  Don't go to the PBS Market, use the Search page. 

Any book that the PBS market has will have a Buy New button in addition to either the Post This Book button or Order This Book Button.  All books have a Buy From Amazon button.  Just don't use those buttons. Put a book on your WL if there aren't any copies posted: a book wiht a Post button will not have copies of that ISBN in the system. If there's an Order This Book button then there are copies there to order. 

PBS costs a lot of money to run.  They get a commission from Amazon if you use a Buy From Amazon button to get to the Amazon website and then buy anything from Amazon.  That, selling books in the marketplace, Box of Books, quick credit fees and the Gold Key membership are how PBS is making money without charging a membership fee to everyone.

Also the PBS Marketplace has been around for like 2 yrs now.  It's not new anymore. I think the Amazon button has always been there.