How Lending Works
Agathos Books makes it easy to share physical books with your community. Here’s how the lending process works from start to finish.
The Lending Flow
Section titled “The Lending Flow”Every loan follows the same basic journey:
- Request — You find a book and request to borrow it
- Approval — The book owner approves your request
- Transfer — The book gets to you (via library shelf or direct handoff)
- Borrowing — You have the book for the loan period (typically 21 days)
- Return — You return the book when you’re done
[Screenshot: loan status stepper showing the five stages]
Two Types of Books
Section titled “Two Types of Books”Libraries contain two types of books, and they work slightly differently:
Library-Owned Books
Section titled “Library-Owned Books”Books that belong to the library itself (like a traditional library).
- Loans are usually instant — Available books are automatically approved
- No individual owner — The library institution manages these books
- Find them by the “Library-owned” badge on the book details page
Member-Owned Books
Section titled “Member-Owned Books”Personal books that members choose to share with the library.
- Owner approval required — The book owner must approve each request
- Personal property — The member retains ownership
- Approval usually within 24 hours — Owners are notified immediately
Requesting a Book
Section titled “Requesting a Book”When you find a book you want to borrow:
- Tap the book to see its details
- Tap Request to Borrow
- Select which library you want to borrow from (if the book is in multiple libraries)
- Wait for approval
[Screenshot: request to borrow button on book detail page]
What the owner sees: For member-owned books, the owner receives a notification with your name and reliability score. They can approve or decline your request.
Getting the Book
Section titled “Getting the Book”Once approved, there are two ways to get the book:
Library Shelf Pickup
Section titled “Library Shelf Pickup”The most common method for community libraries:
- Owner drops off the book at the library
- You receive a notification when it’s ready
- Pick up the book within 7 days
- Confirm pickup in the app
Direct Handoff
Section titled “Direct Handoff”For personal exchanges:
- Either party initiates a direct handoff
- You arrange to meet (contact details stay private)
- Both parties confirm the handoff in the app
Loan Period
Section titled “Loan Period”- Standard loan: 21 days (set by your library)
- Extensions: You can request one extension (up to 2 additional weeks)
- Due date reminders: You’ll receive reminders 3 days before, on the due date, and if overdue
Returning a Book
Section titled “Returning a Book”When you’re done with the book:
- Go to My Loans
- Find the book and tap Return
- Choose Return to Shelf or Return to Owner
- Confirm the return
If someone else is waiting for the book, they’ll be notified immediately.
Reliability Scores
Section titled “Reliability Scores”Your reliability score reflects your lending history:
- Responding to requests promptly improves your score
- Returning books on time improves your score
- Late returns or missed pickups lower your score
Book owners can see your reliability score when you request their books. A good score makes it more likely your requests will be approved.
- Check your notifications regularly — Time-sensitive actions (like pickup windows) have deadlines
- Update your availability — If you can’t lend right now, you can temporarily pause lending on specific books
Related Articles
Section titled “Related Articles”Still Need Help?
Section titled “Still Need Help?”If you have questions about lending, contact support.