Documentation
Step-by-step guidance for onboarding, adding books, managing copies, and selling through verified flows.
2manybooks helps collectors catalog physical books, understand their collections, share selected shelves, and participate in the marketplace. This guide follows the main journey from creating an account to completing a verified sale.
Features can differ by account, location, and release stage. When an action is unavailable, keep your inventory details current and check back as access expands.
1. Set up your account
Create an account, choose a username, and complete onboarding. Your collector type, collection size, interests, and profile details help personalize discovery and recommendations.
Collectors who plan to sell can also provide their shop role and shipping area. You can revisit these choices later from onboarding or account settings.
Recommended setup
- Choose a recognizable username and display name.
- Add a short biography, profile image, and website when relevant.
- Select interests that reflect what you collect rather than every topic you enjoy.
- Review your shipping scope before creating marketplace listings.
2. Add books to your library
Open My library and choose Add books. Search the catalog by title, author, ISBN, or theme, then add the matching edition to your library.
If a book is not in the catalog, use Add by ISBN. Enter a 10- or 13-digit ISBN and, when requested, a title and author. Barcode scanning is also available on supported mobile devices and USB scanners.
Choose the correct record
- Match the ISBN printed in your copy whenever possible.
- Check the publisher, year, format, and cover before adding an edition.
- Do not use another edition simply because it has the same title.
- Report incorrect catalog information from the book page instead of creating a duplicate.
3. Describe your copy
A catalog record describes an edition; your copy stores the details unique to the item you own. Open a book and use Your copy to record its condition and personal attributes.
Copy details do not change the shared catalog record or another collector’s copy.
Copy details you can maintain
- Reading status and reading progress.
- Signed-copy status and inscription notes.
- Condition notes, private notes, and shelf location.
- Binding override when your physical copy differs from the catalog.
- Front, spine, back, and supporting photographs.
4. Organize and explore your library
Use library sections to move between all books, recently added books, reading activity, books for sale, and custom shelves. Search and sort controls help narrow larger collections.
Switch between available library views based on whether you want a compact catalog, a visual grid, or an immersive shelf. Your preferred view is remembered on the device.
Useful organization habits
- Use shelf locations that match labels in your physical space.
- Create focused custom shelves for subjects, rooms, exhibitions, or reading plans.
- Feature only the shelves you want visitors to discover on your public profile.
- Keep reading status and copy notes current so dashboard insights remain useful.
5. Understand values and collection insights
Book pages and the dashboard may show estimated values, demand signals, collection composition, and marketplace activity. Estimates are assembled from available catalog and market information and may be incomplete.
Values are informational only. They are not professional appraisals, guaranteed sale prices, tax advice, or insurance valuations. Rare, signed, association, or unusually preserved copies may require an independent specialist.
For better records
- Confirm the exact edition and binding.
- Add clear photographs and precise condition notes.
- Retain receipts, provenance, appraisals, and correspondence outside the platform.
- Review estimates periodically as catalog and market data change.
6. Prepare to sell
Marketplace selling is limited to verified flows. Complete seller verification and shipping setup before listing a copy. Verification helps establish account identity but does not guarantee an item, transaction, or seller.
From a book you own, choose List for sale. Enter an asking price, select the correct binding, add a meaningful condition note, and include photographs that show the actual copy.
A useful listing should include
- An asking price of at least $1.00.
- The exact binding or format.
- Specific condition notes, including defects and missing materials.
- Photographs of the actual copy rather than publisher images alone.
- Disclosure of signatures, inscriptions, bookplates, restoration, or provenance claims.
7. Complete a verified sale
When a buyer places an order, follow its status from the dashboard and seller tools. Use the platform’s payment, confirmation, messaging, and shipment flow so the transaction remains recorded.
Sellers are responsible for accurate descriptions, lawful ownership, secure packing, shipment, tracking, and timely responses. Do not mark an order shipped until the carrier has accepted it.
Typical order flow
- The buyer completes payment through the platform.
- The seller confirms the order and packs the described copy.
- The seller ships within the stated handling period and supplies tracking when available.
- The buyer and seller use platform messaging for transaction-related questions.
- Payment release and completion follow the status shown for the order.
8. Buy safely
Review the edition, copy photographs, seller information, condition description, price, and shipping terms before buying. Ask questions before payment when anything material is unclear.
Keep payment and transaction communication in the verified platform flow. Requests to pay elsewhere can remove platform records and protections.
Before purchasing
- Confirm that photographs represent the listed copy.
- Compare the ISBN and edition details with the book you expect.
- Review disclosed defects, restoration, signatures, and provenance.
- Check shipping availability and the full order amount.
- Save order and carrier information until the transaction is complete.
9. Privacy, security, and support
Use a strong, unique password and keep account contact details current. Avoid placing private addresses, payment details, or sensitive personal information in public biographies, shelves, notes, or comments.
Report suspicious activity, misleading listings, catalog problems, or abusive content through the available reporting tools. For account or workflow questions, contact the help center.
Related resources
- Help Center for troubleshooting and account assistance.
- Privacy Policy for information handling and your choices.
- Terms of Service for marketplace duties and platform rules.
- Accessibility for support using 2manybooks with assistive technology.
Read our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Accessibility statement.