Science Fiction Exchange

The Science Fiction Exchange, abbreviated as SFX, was a postal library service proposed and operated by Jack Gibson through Futurian War Digest (FIDO) in the early 1940s.

In FIDO #7 (April 1941) Gibson wrote:

Since this war began ... it has become increasingly difficult to get hold of science fiction magazines. Therefore I think it would be a good idea if mags at present lying unused in the possession of fans should become available to other fans who perhaps have not been so fortunate in owning them. To this end I propose setting up a 'Science Fiction Exchange' on the following lines – I invite all fans who have magazines to make out a list of them & send it to me. All lists will be combined with my own, (which contains details of 153 mags) and I am willing to send the lists to anyone desirous of borrowing mags.

He issued 'Science Fiction Exchange Bulletin No. 1' in FIDO #9:

233 mags are now available through SFX as well as 16 novels including Wells Time Machine & Tales of Mystery & Imagination – Poe, for both of which I am indebted to Edwin Macdonald.

A full listing was included as a rider with #11 in August. Further lists were seemingly issued alongside subsequent issues although in #17 (February 1942) Gibson reported:

Probably many of you are wondering why there has been no supplementary list since November 1941. The main reason for this is that additions have been so few that to issue a list just wasn't worth the trouble.

In #20 Gibson was reported as the librarian of the British Fantasy Society (BFS). In their second bulletin, incorporated in FIDO #22, they reported:

A catalogue of books and magazines available for loan will be circulated to all members with this. Application for books should be made to the librarian Mr Jack Gibson.

This seemingly replaced the SFX.

• Science Fiction Exchange list distributed with Futurian War Digest #11, August 1941.