#13 The Thing about LibraryThing

#13 The Thing about LibraryThing

Is your home library organized by subject or author? Do you enjoy reconnecting with books you forgot you owned? If so, LibraryThing just might be the tool for you! Developed for booklovers, this online application helps your create an online catalog of your own, and it connects you with others who have similar libraries and reading tastes. And the best part, it is so easy to add books: just enter the title (or ISBN). No MARC training needed! There are lots of ways to use LibraryThing as well. You can display your books on a virtual bookshelf, add a widget (see my blog) to display titles your library owns, or even install a LT search box on your blog.

So, let’s join the ranks and create your own library online. With over 280,000 registered users and 19 million books cataloged you are bound to discover something new. And by the way, LibraryThing also have a group forum for librarians.

(Fun Fact about LibraryThing: They have LibraryThing for Libraries! Danbury Public Library was the first library to use this application. Check out their catalog and try a search for Bridget Jones.)

Discovery Resources:

• About LibraryThing
• Library Thing tour
• LibraryThing blog (updates & news)

Discovery Exercise:

1. Take a look around LibraryThing and create an account.
2. Add at least 5 books to your library.
3. Blog about your findings and be sure to link to you LibraryThing catalog.