Wednesday

Thing 13: Library Thing

We know you are probably a book lover, but are you cataloger at heart? Do you enjoy knowing what others are reading? Then LibraryThing may be just the tool for you. Developed for book lovers, this online tool not only allows you to easily create an online catalog of your own book collections, it also connects you to other people who have similar libraries and reading tastes.

There are lots of ways to use LibraryThing. Add a book to your catalog by just entering the title (it’s so easy that you don’t even need to know MARC format) or connect with other users through your similar reading tastes. You can view your books on a virtual shelf, add a widget on your Web site or blog to display titles that are in your catalog, or install a LibraryThing Search box on your blog. There is a lot of other interesting info, too.

Libraries have started using LibraryThing, too. Small libraries are using LibraryThing to catalog their collections. Libraries are using the LibraryThing widget on their web pages to recommend books and list new titles. Being a non-commercial site makes LibraryThing a good option for libraries. According to their website, LibraryThing "is exploring relationships with libraries, to offer non-commercially motivated recommendations and other social data."

Florida libraries and librarians are using LibraryThing for a variety of things. Explore these links:

This Broward County YA librarian used LibraryThing to track book reviews written by teens

Other groups with Florida tag in LibraryThing

So why not join the ranks of the many librarians who have added their personal collections to LibraryThing and create your own library online. With over 550,000 registered users and 33.5 million books cataloged, you’re bound to discover something new.

LibraryThing Local is a listing of book related venues and events. It includes bookstores, libraries, and festivals. Events include all type of library programs, author signings, readings, you name it. Entering a place name or zip code in the Find Venues box retrieves a list of nearby book related venues as well as upcoming events.

1. Take the LibraryThing tour and learn more.

2. Create an account--it takes seconds and will eliminate the "highload" error message you may get when trying to browse without an account.

3. Add a least 5 books to your library.

4. Blog about your use of LibraryThing. Be sure to link to your LibraryThing catalog on your blog. How popular were your books? Did you find any discussions about your favorites?

5. Try finding local events in LibraryThing Local.

Resources
About LibraryThing
Keep up with LibraryThing blog
Thingology blog “LibraryThing's ideas blog, on the philosophy and methods of tags, libraries and such not.”
How libraries are using LibraryThing
LibraryThing also has group forum for librarians

Blog Prompts
How can you use LibraryThing for your library?
How else do you share booklists, etc. with library patrons?
Would LibraryThing offer an alternative?
How can your library use LibraryThing Local?
Could you use LibraryThing to organize your home book collection?

Challenge (optional)
Do more with LibraryThing:

1. Add a LibraryThing widget to your blog or another enhancement from the Things You Can Do list.

2. Explore GoodReads, another social network site built around books and reading. With a big mission "to improve the process of reading and learning throughout the world," it connects friends who read and recommend their reading. Might be good for book clubs or other reading groups. What do you think?

3. ExploreLibraryThing for Libraries, a commercial service that enhances your library catalog with the power of Library 2.0. What do you think? Which features are available on your existing library catalog? Which features would benefit your patrons?

1 comment:

Flymolo77 said...

Goodreads.com is much much better IMHO for a social site. The site just seems to flow better then librarything.com The different groups and small additions such as book trivia just make goodreads better. As far as simple cataloging and organizing your library, both work just fine.