To get started on Shelfari, register for an account and enter your information. Add your first book by searching for the title or cover and selecting "add." Choose whether you are currently reading it, have read it, or plan to read it. Provide additional details like dates and whether the book is public or private. Continue adding more books and use the site's features to rate, review, tag, and discuss the books as well as set reading goals and find friends with similar interests.