Organizing a Library

Library Thing (LT) is pretty neat. I used to have a long Excel file in which I kept my master list; I got a subscription with LT because it sounded like a convenient way to backup my collection (for insurance purposes) and to make it accessible to others (my family typically buys books for me for birthday/Christmas). The interface isn't lightning-fast, but it is adequate.

Library Thing is cool, but personally I prefer Good Reads.

I am beginning to experiment (using trial, not purchased yet) with Book Collector found at http://www.collectorz.com/ It's kind of nice, you simply enter an ISBN and if you are connected to the internet, it retrieves book information from the web, author, publisher, etc. I have only done it manually with the trial version, it's quick and easy. It also has the ability to use a barcode scanner to make it even faster. From my brief time using it, it seems like a good tool. It also includes ability to export, etc, with the PRO edition so you can keep your book list on your iPod, Palm, etc. Sorry, starting to sound like a salesman. Had not seen LT - will have to compare the pros/cons.

I've been using LibraryThing for several years now and it has been a very good application for my library needs. There are a couple of cons, but for the most part, I highly recommend the site. Sometimes the site is a little slow. Also, I catalog my books using LOC and it doesn't sort LOC perfectly yet.

I use Library Thing, and it's great. I haven't tried any of the others.

LT lets you import a previously existing list of books (e.g., spreadsheet), add books via a $15 barcode scanner (saved me sooo much time), and then export a new list (which you can keep on your pda or smartphone).

The best advantage of an electronic system over cards -- you enter the information into the system once and then you can use as many tags as you want to sort the info instead of making multiple cards for multiple drawers.

Above I listed my library, for the curious.

I tried Library Thing for a while and then switched to www.gurulib.com. It's been a while so I'm not sure why I switched but it must have been a good reason. Either way, I think Gurulib works very well and includes options for other media.

I also use delicious library and found it really helpful. I just scan the books in and can put them on shelves. It is one worth checking out.

I use BookCAT. It costs about $40 (it has been worth the price for me). Not only an inventory, but you can also track borrowers, the dates you have read the book, and more. The user can simply enter a book's isbn # and the program downloads (most) all the data. I've been happy with it so far. You can check out the details and download a free trial version at the link below.

http://www.fnprg.com/bookcat/info.html?source=googlead&gclid=CKWOktKGppoCFR0SagodVzy79w

I have been using Library Thing for a few years now and have found it to be extremely useful.

The one thing I would recommend is making good use of the tag system.

You can use as many tags as you want and being able to search with them is very helpful.

Also with a large library scanning them in is going to be much faster than keying them.

Library Thing is the best of the best - seriously! I haven't had time to enter my entire library but I completely recommend it to anyone who asks.

I got to hear its founder speak at a library conference last year - and he's on top of everything - but yet still so accessible for non librarians (and well, non geeky academics - because Tim is not a professional librarian - but he certainly fits in well with us =)

(Warning - I was one of the librarians that just HAD to get our pictures taken with him because we're geeky Tim Spaulding groupies like that - but that alone should let you know that LibraryThing works, because we librarians would NOT become huge fans of someone who created something that didn't actually work now would we? we tend to be fairly practical people for all that we love technology)

They're constantly making Library Thing better in regards to what you can do with it - and seriously - I've looked at most of the others and they just can't compare...

(I do like Goodreads for my "currently reading" list - but only because LibraryThing is set up to be more of your catalog than your current reading list, and is not really set up to keep track of books you've read that you don't actually own. But that is really the only thing I don't like about it - and many people have tagged things in ways their tags weren't intended to get around that problem - so not everyone agrees with me on that)

I am using Zotero to keep records for my MA thesis. It is really easy to use and keeps good records, plus I can enter my own notes and it will keep an annotated bibliography. I visit the book's page on amazon and with the click of a button I've got all the relevant bibliographic info.

I've been using LibraryThing for about a year. They seem to be committed to making improvements. I like that I can get at it wherever I'm at - if I see a book I want and forget whether I own it :-). Also, I use tags to tell me where a book is physically - office, home, basement.

I have a professional quality barcode scanner I'd be happy to loan you if you'll mail it back when you're done. Please do not enter hundreds of books by hand! The scanner makes it a snap.

Oh, I meant to ask:

is that picture Trinity College's Library?

Been using it for several years. Love it. They keep adding features. I enter things by ISBN, but you can get a bar code scanner. I like the fact that other people can browse my library, and that I can tag books and drop them into widgets like the one I use on my blog for "currently reading."

Library Thing is good. But I am surprised that no one has mentioned "Google books". I use it quite a bit, and you can add books if you click on the "Add to my shared library" tag. (You do not have to share your library with others if you do not want to.) It is very simple to use.

I second (or third, or fourth!) those who recommended Delicious Library. I mentioned it to you on Twitter, but thought I would add my vote here as well.

Not only can you scan books to enter them via the iSight camera already on Macs, but their system of books that have been borrowed is excellent. You can enter the contact info (or import it from your Address Book) for someone who borrows a book and then set a date when you would like the book back. Delicious Library will automatically send you and the person who borrowed the book an email on the date set. You can also organize your library by books borrowed, which is nice because I usually forget who borrowed what book from me, which can get annoying.

I've entered some of my books into Library Thing, but I use Delicious Library regularly and absolutely love it. A bit steep ($40), but it's worth it and includes free updates.

Years ago, I put together a simple FileMaker database to track my book purchases -- primarily for insurance purposes, in case our church ever had a fire.

I know, when I say the following, that I'll probably get kicked off JesusCreed for heresy, but I have actually begun to pare back my library. Some years ago when we were going through a building program, I had to move my office into what was, essentially, a glorified closet. And so I had to pack away about 95% of my books (literally). I had to figure out what books I absolutely needed for the next year -- and pack the rest away.

I thought it would be one of the most painful experiences of my life; but, in fact, it became one of the most educational. I suddenly realized -- as I was sorting through my library -- that I had accumulated a whole lot of junk. So I resolved to give away about half of my books to anyone who would take them -- and I did. Then, in my new office which was much more spacious than my old one, I had the contractor build in fewer shelves than I'd had before, and I resolved that as I bought a new book I would give away/sell/throw away whatever I needed to make space! It has worked! (BTW, this is also a great strategy for filing cabinets. When they fill up, throw something out to make room for something new.)

During that year, there was only one time when I really wanted a book I had packed away (I was trying to chase down a footnote in Kittel). And since then I have only rarely looked for a book that I came to realize I had given away. The books that I keep are the ones of substance. Others I read and give away. Just yesterday, I cleaned out several old commentaries that looked great on my shelves, but I know I'll never use them. (These decisions, I must point out are hard on the ego -- I certainly always took pride in the number of books I'd accumulated -- whether I actually used them or not!)

My other way of getting rid of books is to loan them out and then forget who borrowed them! Some years ago, one of our families was moving out of town and donated some old books to our church library. There in their pile of donated books (you guessed it!) were two books I'd been looking for and couldn't remember who'd borrowed them!

Footnote: Scot's new book on Fasting is a keeper! (Of course, it doesn't take up much space! :)

I am surprised so many people haven't found their way to librarything.com yet. I second all those who have discussed its value. This post inspired me to post a plug for the website on my blog. However, I must admit after reading these comments about Delicious Library I am intrigued.

I've never shared a library, never got around to it I guess.

My entire library is recorded in Endnote and available on my computer. I love Endnote. Plus as I do research and writing I have my resources at my fingertips.

This is a very helpful post. I'm looking into some of the above resources.

Thanks!