Cataloging your home library

I have a large, extensive, enormous collection of books and movies at my house. 3 avid readers equals a lot of stuff. Large bookcases line the walls of the downstairs hall, and they are packed. Several years ago I decided I had to bring order to the seeming chaos. I went out and researched until I found a product called Readerware. This is a downloadable program that is installed on a computer. It'll go out and search for records, and book jackets, on Amazon. You can either enter ISBN or title or use a barcode reader to bring records into the catalog. It can handle records for movies, books and music. It's fabulous, but it does have a cost. Buy a copy and they'll send you a free barcode reader. It was easy to install and use and I loved it. But...

I have more computers in my house than I do humans. I also wanted to check my library catalog from other locations so when I read about LibraryThing about two years ago I jumped on the bandwagon. Here is a fully featured catalog for books. It can search for records in Amazon as well as library catalogs such as the Library of Congress. It uses ISBN's and you can use a barcode reader too. I LOVE LibraryThing. I had over 3,800 items in the catalog till the ruthless summer weeding project of 2008. I particularly love the widget that allows me to be on an Amazon page and automatically add an item to my catalog, SWEET. You should know that LibraryThing does have a one time fee for catalogs over 200 books. If you have fewer than 200 books, go ahead and use it free.

I have added videos to the catalog. I just use the book form. The director becomes the main author with other directors and writers being added as additional authors. You can view my catalog here: http://www.librarything.com/home/jsemenza This is a social software site so there are lots of groups you can join to discuss books. My friend likes the suggester and unsuggester pieces of the product. Go check them out for yourself.

Okay, so my library is still fairly large and I wanted to put a genre subset into a separate catalog. First I tried using LibraryThing, but I ran up against the 200 book limit. I didn't want to pay for a second catalog so I started looking around. I found Shelfari and Gurulib and stopped looking.

Neither of these products has the staggering array of features that LibraryThing has. But for a small catalog of books they could be useful. It was easy to add books to Shelfari. So easy, I don't remember the steps right now. You have a bookshelf view and a list view. The bookshelf view actually shows the book covers on a bookcase. It's pretty and easy to use. I like the categories: I plan to read, I've read and I'm reading. Gurulib is the other product I tried.

Gurulib is also easy to add books and movies to. It is set up to include movies, music, games and software. These are valuable additions. Books are added onto shelves that you get to set up, so things are categorized according to bookcases you create. These shelves can be descriptive like brown desk, yellow bookcase or box 132. They can also be subject focused like SciFi, Fantasy, Western or Romance. I really liked this feature. I also liked the additional categories: "Wishlist" for books you haven't purchased. But best of all is the easily spotted "Borrowed Items" category. Any book record can be viewed and set to borrowed. It's very cool!

I ended up with portions of my library on both Shelfari and Gurulib. I'm still struggling with which one will be my final choice for my subset of books. In the meantime, I suggest you check things out for yourself. There are a LOT of other choices out on the web too. Here's an incomplete list:

AllConsuming, Anobii, Bibliophil.org, Bookswap.ws, Bookswellread.com, Booktribes, ChainReading, ConnectViaBooks.com, Douban.net, Lib.rario.us, Listal.com, MediaChest.com, Reader2, ShelfCentered, Socialogue, Squirl, Stuffopolis, StuffWeLike.com, Zestr...

Here's another more comparative look at LibraryThing, Shelfari and Gurulib.

That is all
Jenny

University of Nevada - Reno

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Okay, I know you're wondering why it's a picture of the Reno sign. Well, my sabbatical scheduling meant that I went to Reno during the time they were moving into their new library. I got to see the new library aka Knowledge Center, but without most of the furnishings. So go here: http://www.knowledgecenter.unr.edu/ to take a look at the website.

Here is where they are the most bold users of the simple IM/Chat interface. The University webpage IM/Chat is the library's. In other words, the reference librarians are the first in line for answering all incoming questions through this service.

Sorry, no photos from me for this library. Well not yet anyway. Reno is on the way to my in-laws in California, so I'll be back there soon.

-- Jenny

University of Alaska - Anchorage

popular donated vids
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

So many things to blog about, it was hard to choose just one. In the end, I chose this one cause I think all of us can use this. They had complaints about not having videos to watch for entertainment purposes, so they asked for donations. This collection is all based on donations from individuals. Complaints about why this is here and that is not is addressed by telling the complainer, that all the videos are donated and they are welcome to donate something to improve the collection...

Okay I can't help it. Take a look at the chairs in the foreground. See how they are curved towards the back. These chairs allow a student to either sit upright or lean (tip) back. I thought they were great! I believe Fairbanks uses similar chairs in their library too.

-- Jenny

For more photos from the Anchorage library see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605565401010/

University of Alaska - Fairbanks

art3
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Lots of serious library stuff was discussed, of course. But what I thought I'd share with you is an anecdote related to me by my tour guide librarian. I know we're all looking for art to place in our libraries. This picture is of a very heavy metal sculpture that magically appeared in place one day. Perhaps some student couldn't figure out how to get it home. Who knows. All they know is an anonymous artist and donor somehow made it happen with no one knowing about it. -- Jenny

For more photos of the library see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605548013800/

University of Alberta - Edmonton

suggestions
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I got to visit 4 different libraries on this campus it was fascinating. They are doing a bit (understatement) of construction in the Cameron Science library. The big pad of paper is by the reference desk and it asks the question: What should the sign over this desk say? Students and other patrons are then able make suggestions on the paper. I believe they have used this method to solicit all kinds of input from their patrons. - Jenny

For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605334655700/

University of Calgary - Alberta

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

The information commons area included desks with power strips and no computer so that people with laptops could just plug in. The reference desk also had instructions to help students access the wireless network.

This is a very large campus. On the road trip through Canada to Alaska I brought my husband Nick. For this campus I'm really glad I had him along. Someone here at the University of Calgary Library had input the coordinates for the library into Google Earth. Nick used his handy GPS gadget to get us right to the door. I really think more libraries may want to do this!

-- Jenny

For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605339231939/

Colorado School of Mines - Golden

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

There are a lot of different art displays and installations at the libraries I visited, but none had the size, weight or impact of this one. It is a large, very heavy vault and with displays on mining and gold. Um, wow. Only problem is, that this display was put in before library real estate became a premium and now they'd like to move it, but it is just too heavy.

Additionally they have created signage for power outlets. We know that everyone with a laptop is searching for one of these. -- Jenny
For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604987869998/

University of Colorado - Denver

kite competition
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

UC Denver, or rather the Auraria Library is actually the library for three institutions of higher education, UC Denver (of course) Metropolitan State College of Denver and Community College of Denver. As such this library has many interesting challenges such as tracking reference statistics for each institution. I don't even want to think about Information Literacy.

I was really taken by the art display of kites in the library and found out more about it. The kites are all part of a juried art show, which is a fundraiser for the library. The kites will be auctioned off at the end of the display period and the money will be split by the student artist and the library. They have a flickr set at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aurarialibrary/sets/72157603987993027/

-- Jenny

For more of my pictures of the library see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604987220408/

University of Colorado - Boulder

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Now this was an interesting wall of honor for donors. The Top Drawer Society. This apparent card catalog has been modified so it isn't very deep and the drawers don't open. I though this was one of the most appropriate donor recognition devices. -- Jenny

For more photos from UC Boulder see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604914584281/

Colorado State University - Fort Collins

signage
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Like my library here at ISU, Colo State allows food in the library. But they too want a few places free of food. I thought this sign was genius. They have over 300 computers available in various groupings and areas. This grouping of approx 10 come equipped with scanners. An additional 200 laptops are available for checkout, and are heavily used.

For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604886506205/

-- Jenny

University of Northern Colorado - Greeley

instruction lab1
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

UNC may have the poshest library instruction classroom I've ever been in. Check out the other photos in the set http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/2457582461/. This is where I was introduced to the Interwrite Pad. The Interwrite Pad is a wireless pad that can be used anywhere in the classroom. It works with the instructor station, acting as an interactive, portable whiteboard.

University of Wyoming - Laramie

const sign
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I got to University of Wyoming while they were building new library opened. Darn it, I'll just have to go back Anyway, I loved the idea of the whiteboards as changeable signage. Take a look at: http://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu/blogs/ILLC/ for information on the new "addition." -- Jenny

For more photos of the old library see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604832297920/

Montana State University - Bozeman

quiet study
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Quiet study, I found several libraries where quiet study areas were designated, but here it's a room of its own walled in glass. Pretty nifty if you ask me. MSU had another very cool thing, but I'm saving it for my presentations. If you can't make it to one of those, email me at semejenn@isu.edu and I'll let you in on the very coolest of the cool thing that MSU is doing. -- Jenny

For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604682822509/

University of Montana - Missoula

big desk
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I loved my visit to the University of Montana. There are so many things I could blog about. The most innovative idea to me, was the removal of the reference collection. I can hear the collective gasp from all of you reading this. The reasoning goes like this...

1. They are subscribing to many online reference resources
2. They would like to free up space on the first floor for other purposes
3. When was the last time someone went to the collection to help a student ...

The books are going to be moved to a small collection at the information desk or are going to be moved to the stacks. If moved to the stacks they can be still be marked as non-circulating as decided by the subject/reference librarians.

I know there are a lot of books in my own library's reference collection that are rarely used. But we don't have the budget to buy as many online reference resources as they have. However, I definitely see a reduction of the collection in the future. -- Jenny

For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604595964060/

Missoula Public Library

carts
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Here was another surprise. Shopping carts. It was another Wahhhh moment. (I don't know how to spell that sound, but I'm sure you get my drift). Anyway, I can really see a use for these for moms with small kids!! -- Jenny

For more photos check out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599551319/

University of Idaho - Moscow

handicap
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

You never know what you're going to find when you visit a library. This was very unexpected, but BRILLIANT. How many times have I seen patrons who could have really used one of these. In many ways, this picture speaks for itself. -- Jenny

More photos of UofI's library at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599260001/

Seattle Public Library

floorplan
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Okay, everything about the Seattle Public Library was cool. I loved how different flooring indicated different areas of the library. I liked how they RFID system checked books in and then sorted them into bins for return to branch libraries or shelves at the main library. I enjoyed the art and was impressed by the spiral of main stacks. You can get a very nice walk just by walking around the spiral of main stacks. The kids area with the computer mice that were colored like ladybugs were fabulous. I just wish my pictures of all of this fabulosity were better. Go check them out at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604598950899/ -- Jenny

P.S. I really like the box for donations. I think this is a great idea for public libraries.

Boise State University - Boise Idaho

comfy seats
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Chairs. I seem to be obsessed with chairs lately ergonomic chairs, chairs the tip, chairs that adjust, hard chairs, chairs with wheels and comfy chairs. At Boise State I discovered comfy chairs that my tour guide assured me were cheap and from the local superstore. She also said they were heavily used. I really like the idea of providing lots of different kinds of seating for the different needs of the students. Personally I study a lot better in a comfy chair than in a hard upright one, so I LOVED these. I think this is a great way to lure students to the library. -- Jenny

For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519583547/

Boise Public Library

signage
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Boise Public Library has everything, a cafe, an entertainment section, a bookstore and most amazingly customizable library cards. I thought these were very cool. -- Jenny

For more photos see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519309911/

Idaho State University - Pocatello

Dual monitors
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

We put dual monitors at the reference desk. This allows patrons to easily follow along with what we are doing. It is really useful. In my wanderings I discovered a couple other universities that had this setup. At University of Alaska-Anchorage they recently added keyboards to the other side of the desk to allow better communication with hearing impaired patrons. I need to follow-up on how this is working for them. -- Jenny

For more photos of the ISU library see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519171935/