I just received a book from a member, and it's a paperback with the cover torn on both the front and the back.  I mean, not just torn, a big chunk of the cover is missing.  This does not affect the readablilty of the book-I will have no trouble reading and enjoying it.  However........I'm uneasy about passing this along.  I know pages aren't supposed to be torn, but is there a rule about covers?  I don't want to send it on to the next person if it's considered unpostable.  Any thoughts???

Covers with large tears or big chunks missing are not postable. From the help docs:

Cover:

• Must both be present (front and back)
  • note that a paperback missing its front cover is  usually an illegal, unsold copy
  • "cover" does not = dust jacket.  Hardcovers do not need to include their dust jackets to be swapped here.
• Cover not water damaged (there may be no water damage to any part of the book)
• Cover not torn or chewed/gnawed
  • some used book stores cut out a small part of the cover; if the amount missing is less than 1 square inch, this is OKAY
  • a small rip (less than 1 inch) in the cover is OKAY
  • yes, that does say "chewed/gnawed" above.  That means no pet-chewed (or human-chewed) books.
• A bookplate inside the cover or on the flyleaf is OKAY

LIsa has posted the PBS guideline that applies.  If your book does not meet the minimum criteria, you should RWAP and not pass it on when you are finished.

Thank you for the consideration to other members!