Getting started with OpenBookCase

Account & sign-in

Browsing is open to everyone; an account lets you add and edit entries, upload photos and use wishlists.

1. Register: click Register in the top bar and choose a username, email and password. You'll get a confirmation email — click the link in it to verify your address.
2. Log in: click Login.
3. Forgot your password? Open the login dialog and click Forgot your password?, enter your email, and follow the link we send you to set a new password.

Finding bookcases

1. Search bar (top-left of the map): type a bookcase name, a place or address (powered by OpenStreetMap / Photon), or coordinates like 50.19, 8.8. Pick a suggestion to fly there.
2. Locate me: the button next to the zoom controls centres the map on your position and shows the distance to each bookcase in its popup.
3. List view: the List page lets you search, sort columns and order by “Nearest to me”. You can also download every entry as JSON with Export.
4. Marker colours: pins are coloured by accessibility (red / yellow / green); give-boxes and currently-unavailable entries have their own icons.

Adding an entry account

There are three ways to start adding:

• The Add bookcase button in the top bar.
• Right-click anywhere on the map (or long-press on touch) → Add bookcase here.
• From the Locate me popup → Add bookcase here.

Then complete the quick-add form:

1. Enter a title, the type (bookcase or give-box) and the installation type.
2. Set the coordinates — they're prefilled when you started from the map. You can also paste a geo:lat,lon string or search for an address to place them.
3. Click Add. The pin drops on the map immediately and a panel offers to add full details, add photos, or finish with Done.

Editing an entry account

1. Open an entry (click its marker → Details), then click Edit.
2. Adjust the title, type, website and the fixed / mobile toggle.
3. Set accessibility with the red / yellow / green traffic light and an optional description.
4. Set the status (active or inactive). For inactive entries you can add a reason that's shown on the map and in the detail view.
5. Add opening times and caretakers, then Save. Anyone watching the entry is notified of what changed.

Managing photos account

1. Open an entry → Photos.
2. Upload up to five images. An author name is required; you can add a short description (alt text) that screen readers read aloud.
3. Use to rotate a photo, edit its description, or delete it.
4. Tap or click a photo to open it full-size. Page through all of an entry's photos with the ◀ / ▶ buttons, the arrow keys, or by swiping.

Rating a bookcase

1. The detail view shows the average rating as hearts.
2. When signed in, click Rate, pick your hearts, and it saves instantly — the average updates live.

Wishlist — request & hand over books

The wishlist lets people ask for a specific book at a bookcase and lets others drop off a copy.

1. Open an entry → Wishlist and add the book you're looking for (title, optional author).
2. Someone who owns that book can drop a copy there — you're notified when they do.
3. Once you've collected it, mark it picked up; if it's gone, mark it not found.
4. A badge on the map marker shows how many open wishes a bookcase has.

Watchlist — follow an entry account

1. On an entry, click Watch to follow it.
2. You'll get a message whenever someone edits or moves it.
3. See and manage everything you follow in your profile.

Moving a marker account

1. When signed in, simply drag a marker to its correct spot.
2. Confirm the move and the new position is saved. If you cancel, the marker snaps back.

Your home position account

Set a personal starting point so the map opens where you want it.

1. From the map: right-click (or long-press) a spot → Set as home location (just below the add button; it asks for confirmation). This stores the spot and your current zoom.
2. From your profile: enter latitude, longitude and zoom, and turn on the toggle.
3. When enabled, the map opens centred on your home and a marker shows the spot.
4. Remove it anytime with Remove home position in your profile.

Messages & notifications

1. The inbox in the top bar collects system messages — watchlist and wishlist updates and announcements.
2. Choose how you're notified in your profile: in the app, by email, or both.

Sharing an entry

Every entry's detail view has a read-only link with a Copy button. Anyone who opens it lands on the map centred on that bookcase with its details open.

Install as an app

OpenBookCase can be installed like a normal app, giving you an icon on your home screen or desktop and its own window — while everything still loads live from the website. Installing is optional; the site works just the same in a browser.

1. Easiest way: when your browser supports it, an Install app button appears in the top bar (and in the menu on phones). Tap it and confirm.
2. Android (Chrome): some versions don't show an obvious prompt while you browse. If you don't see the button, open the browser menu ( ⋮) and choose Install app / Add to Home screen.
3. Desktop (Chrome / Edge): use the Install app button, or the small install icon at the right end of the address bar.
4. iPhone & iPad (Safari): Apple doesn't offer an automatic install prompt, so it isn't obvious that it's possible. The Install app button shows you how: tap the Share button in Safari, then choose Add to Home Screen. (This only works in Safari, not Chrome or Firefox on iOS.)

Language & theme

1. Switch the interface language with the selector in the top bar.
2. Toggle light and dark mode with the / switch. Your choice is remembered on this device.