From one student's shelf to another's, through the library.
School Book Share connects students who own the books on a reading list with classmates who need them. The school library is the safe, trusted place where books change hands.
The five steps
List
A student scans the barcode on a book they own and chooses to lend, give it away or swap it.
Student · 30 secRequest
A classmate who needs it for class requests it. The owner picks a borrower by their trust card, not their name.
StudentsDrop off
The owner brings the book to the library within 2 school days. The librarian scans it onto the hold shelf.
Library deskPick up
The borrower gets a pickup code and collects the book within 3 school days. One more scan.
Library deskReturn or pass on
Lent books come back to the library at the end of the term. Given-away books keep moving to the next reader.
StudentsTwo ways books change hands
The school library is the main way. Community give-aways fill the gaps.
🏫 At the school library
- Lend, give away or swap
- Students hand off at the library desk with a pickup code
- The librarian scans every hand-off
- For schools that have joined
🤝 Family to family
- Give-away only
- Parents, guardians and community donors make the hand-off
- Public spots only, like a library or police safe exchange zone
- Works before a school joins, and over the summer
Who does what
Most of the work happens on students' phones. The library desk only handles the hand-off.
📚 Student who owns the book
- Scans the book to list it
- Picks a borrower from their trust cards
- Drops it at the library desk
- Gets it back at the end of term (if lent)
🎒 Student who needs the book
- Searches their reading list
- Requests a copy from a classmate
- Picks it up with a pickup code
- Returns it on time to keep their score up
🏫 Librarian
- Scans books in at drop-off
- Scans them out at pickup
- Adds teachers' reading lists
- Steps in if something goes wrong
Rules that keep it fair
Reminders go out automatically, so nobody has to chase anybody.
Private by design
Students never see each other's names. Reputation does the talking instead.
See it in action
Two interactive previews. Click around.
Common questions
Can families give books to each other outside of school?
Yes. In community mode, a parent, guardian or community donor can give a book to another family. Only adults arrange and make the hand-off, at a public spot like a library or a police safe exchange zone. Community exchanges are give-away only.
What is School Book Share?
School Book Share is a free website and app that helps high school and college students find classmates who already own the books their teachers assign, and lend, give away or swap the books they're done with.
Is School Book Share free?
Yes. School Book Share is free for students, and free for schools. There is no budget request or contract.
How does School Book Share keep students safe?
Students never see each other's names or contact information. Books are dropped off and picked up at the school library using a pickup code, and only the school librarian can see who is who.
What happens if someone doesn't follow through?
Every step has a deadline. If a book isn't dropped off within 2 school days, or picked up within 3, the request resets automatically and the book or the borrower moves on to the next match. Missed steps lower that student's reliability score.
How can my school join School Book Share?
Librarians, teachers and administrators can sign up as a founding school. Students and parents can search for their school and join its waiting list.