You can try our new Classifieds and Lending Library feature now in beta testing at The Needle, our Seattle prototype site. We've added these features to enhance the NewsCloud platform for attracting readers to our news communities.
The Lending Library allows people to share physical goods with their neighbors, friends or any Needle reader (i.e. you can share items with everyone or choose to share only with your Facebook friends). Adding books, DVDs and other items is quite easy with our Amazon product lookup - just type in a keyword or ISBN/ASIN # to quickly add the item. You can also post items to sell or offer them for free.
The Lending Library is a feature that NewsCloud had provided in an earlier Facebook application that is now moved over to our open source platform.
We'd also encourage you to watch Rachel Botsman's Ted Talk on the emerging collaborative consumption model on sharing and swapping physical goods.
We think we've designed a Classifieds system with Facebook integration that beats CraigsList (which doesn't allow for lending physical goods). Please give us your feedback.
The NewsCloud open source platform is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
