I don’t often take breaks from book reviews in this blog, but for SwitchPlanet.com I have to make an exception. I was recently introduced to the site, and even though I have yet to make my first switch, I’m really excited about it.

SwitchPlanet.com is a media swapping and social networking site that tries to do good works as well. So all those extra books you keep meaning to put in a garage sale or take to used book store? Instead, you can put them up on this website, and people who want them give you switchbucs - virtual money that allows you to acquire things YOU want from other switchers. It’s not just for books, either. You can switch cd’s, dvd’s, and games as well. The only cost incurred is when you send something to someone - you have to pay for postage - but since someone else pays for postage when you receive something, it all works out fairly evenly.

Since the site is completely free to use, but also pushes support for charity, every time you receive a switch, you’re encouraged to donate as much or as little as you want (even a dollar) to one of the organizations endorsed by SwitchPlanet.com. (Their list includes the Red Cross and the Nature Conservancy.)

Aside from giving all of us a great interface for exchanging books and movies, SwitchPlanet.com also provides social networking. When I created my account, I was immediately greeted by three friendly switchers, wondering if I needed help posting anything I might have to share, and welcoming me to the site. Part of the interface is set up to encourage messaging between switchers, but it’s done in a way that isn’t pushy or uncomfortable. You can browse through individual profiles, or if you want to branch out a little more, there are options to set up and join different groups based on interests (everything from coffee to paintball),

SwitchPlanet.com’s tag line is “use more…waste less,” which is an apt message for the green-thinking internet community, but they also embody the spirit of “reduce, re-use, recycle.”

I’ve joined SwitchPlanet.com. Won’t you?