I picked up a WL hardcover at the library yesterday but wanted to check on two things. It's a 1985 HC and it has ragged edged pages. Is that normal? Should I alert any requestors of this?

What is the best way to wrap and mail a HC?

What you are describing are called deckled edges. Perfectly normal and fine to post. Time was most books were published with those page edges unless they were gilt edges.

As for packaging a HC to mail, you will want to use sturdy packaging with lots of tape.

If you have a bubble mailer from something you have received and it will fit you can use that with lots of tape.

Some members use emptly cereal boxes to mail HCs.

I usually wrap mine in some sturdy paper, and with a bit of extra paper to pad the book corners. I use a bit of some plastic I have around the house as an inner wrapping in case the USPS doesnt understand that books and water dont mix.

Then I tape all around the edges of the packaging, like a picture frame. Then I tape length-wise all around the book, covering the To: address.

Whatever outer wrapping you choose make sure it is tight to the book. Hard Covers have a tendency to saw through loose packaging.

I use the brown bags from grocery stores with lots of tape and cut to size.

I recently discovered that manilla file folders are awesome for wrapping hardbound books!  And if you work in an office, there are almost always some getting thrown out - free wrapping!

I agree Rhonda! I got a stack of file folders from work that were going to be tossed and they make nice sturdy packaging (There is even a video on youtube that a member submitted demonstrating her technique using file folders). Not only do I like using them when I don't have the right size bubble bag, but the receiving members seem to like how well they work as I have gotten several compliments when using file folders.