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How it works

From one student's shelf to another's, through the library.

BookBaton.com connects students who own the books on a reading list with students at the same school who need them. The school library is the safe, trusted place where books change hands.

▶ Watch it in action

The five steps

1

List

A student scans the barcode on a book they own and lists it to give away. They promise it has no writing or damage.

Student · 30 sec
2

Request

A student at the same school who needs it requests it. With their teacher's class code, the request is teacher-verified and goes first. The owner picks who gets it by their trust card, not their name.

Students
3

Drop off

The owner brings the book to the library within 2 school days. The librarian scans it onto the hold shelf.

Library desk
4

Pick up

That student gets a pickup code and collects the book within 3 school days. One more scan.

Library desk
5

Keep it, then pass it on

The book is theirs to keep. Nothing to return. When they're done with it, they can list it again for the next reader.

Students

How it all fits together

Families, teachers, students and the library, one book passed on.

See all four animations →

Two ways books change hands

The school library is the main way. Community give-aways fill the gaps.

Main way

🏫 At the school library

  • Give-away: the book is theirs to keep
  • Students use the Book Drop at the library desk with a pickup code
  • The librarian scans every Book Drop
  • For schools that have joined
Community mode

🤝 Family to family

  • Give-away only
  • Parents, guardians and community donors make the Book Drop
  • Public spots only, like a library or police safe exchange zone
  • Works before a school joins, and over the summer

Learn about community give-aways →

Who does what

Most of the work happens on students' phones. The library desk only handles the Book Drop.

📚 Student who owns the book

  • Scans the book to list it
  • Picks who gets it from their trust cards
  • Drops it at the library desk
  • Earns trust for every book passed on

🎒 Student who needs the book

  • Searches their reading list
  • Requests a copy from another student
  • Picks it up with a pickup code
  • Keeps it, and passes it on when done

🏫 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.

2school days to drop offOne "1 more day" extension is allowed.
3school days to pick upThen the book goes to the next student in line.
↺Automatic resetsIf a step is missed, the request resets and the student who asked keeps their place in line.
📅School days onlyWeekends, vacations and snow days never count against anyone.

The condition promise

Every book is checked three times, so nobody gets a book that's been written in, damaged or has anything inappropriate inside.

📝When you list a bookPick its condition (Like new, Good or Fair) and promise it has no writing, highlighting or coloring, no torn or missing pages, no water damage, and nothing inappropriate written or left inside.
🏫At the Book DropThe librarian takes a quick look when the book is dropped off. A book that doesn't match its promise goes back to its owner and can't be given away.
🔍When you pick it upLook it over. If it doesn't match the listing, tell the librarian or tap "Report a problem" within 1 school day. The student who gave it is responsible, not you.

Normal wear, like a creased spine, is fine. If a book has writing, damage or anything inappropriate inside, the librarian notes it and the student who gave it loses trust points on their reliability score. Nobody has to pay for or replace a book. The librarian can also pause their requests and remove the book.

Private by design

Students never see each other's names. Reputation does the talking instead.

🔒No names, no contact infoStudents under 18 use a Baton Card code, so we never collect their name. Other students appear only as a trust card, with no photo, phone number or messaging.
⭐Trust cardsEach student has a reliability score, a count of books given and badges, built from what they actually do.
🏫An adult in the loopOnly the school librarian can see who is who, so someone can step in if anything goes wrong.

See it in action

Two interactive previews. Click around.

📱
The student appScan a book, list it and see the Book Drop reminders.
→ 💻
The library deskSee what librarians see, and try the scan desk.
→

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 Book Drop, at a public spot like a library or a police safe exchange zone. Community exchanges are give-away only.

What is BookBaton.com?

BookBaton.com is a free website and app that helps middle school, high school and college students find other students at their school who already own the books their teachers assign, and give away the books they're done with.

Is BookBaton.com free?

Yes for students and families: BookBaton.com is always free for them. Schools get their first year free, then choose a yearly plan. See school pricing.

How does BookBaton.com keep students safe?

Students under 18 sign in with a Baton Card code from their librarian, so BookBaton.com never collects their name or email. 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 student moves on to the next match. Missed steps lower that student's reliability score.

How can my school join BookBaton.com?

Librarians, teachers and administrators can sign up as a founding school. Students and parents can search for their school and join its waiting list.

What do teachers do?

Teachers sign in and add the books they've assigned. Each one gets a class code to share with the class. Students who enter it get teacher-verified requests that go to the front of the line, so the library knows requests are real. At middle schools, a teacher's book goes straight onto the library's Books we need list. Try the teacher view.

Does it work for middle schools?

Yes. At middle schools the librarian runs BookBaton.com at the desk: families send books in with their child, the library keeps the inventory and a list of books teachers need, and students simply pick their book up at the library. Younger students never use the app or share any information. How it works for middle schools.

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