I am currently reading a book that has been wish-listed by several members and I got it through this site.  My concern is that it has markings throughout the book.  It doesn't hurt the readability but someone has either highlighted or underlinked certain parts of the books.  I am able to read it just fine but I wanted to check before posting it.  Is it okay to post this book?

Gail, it is only okay to post the book IF:  1) it is a textbook AND 2) you PM the requestor to make sure the underlining/highlighting is okay with them.  If it is not a textbook you cannot post it.  You may want to run a deal for it in the Book Bazaar along the lines of "damaged WL book 'x' free with order from my shelf."

Gail:

I go by the rule of thumb: If you don't want to receive a book like this, don't give it away.

This is not a rule-of thumb situation.  As Kristen stated above, this book is not postable according to PBS guidelines unless it is a textbook.

although if the OP got it like this and paid a credit for it, then the person that sent it to her is in violation unless it was disclosed that it was used as a textbook so it has writing/highlighting in it.

I see now that I should have checked it first and then indicated through the system that it had problems before accepting.  But on the other hand, I didn't have a problem with it as that I can still read it so I didn't mind.  Since the book is wish-listed, I was hoping that there was a way I could pass it on.  I know I get frustrated waiting for books on my wait list.  I think I'll take the book bazaar suggestion.

I also just received a book that has 4 pages with underlining and markings, but it is still readable, and I didn't notice it when it was received.   It is classic fiction, so I assume it was a textbook.   But I don't see how one can check the book before accepting it, or maybe this is covered in the questionnaire re postage, condition of wrapping, etc.  

 I feel that the sender should warn the recipient re any underlining, etc., which I would do  if I had such a book request, in case they would not want it. 

So, now, can I assume the book is now unpostable, or can I pm. the next requestor re the condition?

Thanks. 

Sallianne; your book is unpostable!  You also can offer it free with an order from your shelf; same as Gail.

This is from the Help Center: very explicit guidelines:

Pages:

• No torn pages
• No loose or missing pages
• No writing or highlighting 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
    • Exception: if it is a textbook or workbook, these are expected to have highlighting/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).

• No staining

Gail - If this situation arises again, you should mark it received with a problem, that way the PBS higher ups know that the sender is sending out unpostable books.  If you mark it received with a problem, you can still keep the book, or you can try to negotiate for your credit back with the sender. 

I try to flip through my books when I receive them just to be sure they are ok and not against the PBS rules.  This way if there is a problem I can mark it as so.

Normally I'm in the "if it's readable, solid and clean" corner, but highlighting, underlining and notes are specifically unpostable (except for textbooks with prior approval).  To be honest, they are about the only things that drive me completely nuts in a book, so even as a pretty laid back swapper with no conditions, I'd mark it recieved with a problem and ask for my credit back if you sent it to me.  Sorry.  :(

You and me both, Karen!  Very few things bother me in books, and I happily buy at the UBS books that I know I cannot post on PBS because the PBS standards are stricter than at my local UBS.  But ... I really don't like underlining and highlighting (it throws me off when I'm reading) and I am glad that this is a bright-line rule on PBS.

That said, I am also understanding about highlighting and underlining if I get a book with them, simply because I think it's easy not to catch the problem when you're inspecting a book before posting, especially if only a few pages are affected.  I got a book recently -- 700 pp and there was underlining on about 5 pp right toward the end.  Of course, I didn't see it until I began to read the book (long after I marked it received with no problem), and so I just assumed the sender didn't see it either.  I wound up using that one for a "damaged book" swap in the games forum.