If you’re the type of person who pays attention to sidebars, you probably already know that I’m a member of LibraryThing. (Hint: it’s a section called My Bookshelf, and it’s only on the sidebars I thought most appropriate.) Over the summer, LibraryThing started a new aspect to their site called “Groups”, which I didn’t discover until tonight. They have over 500 groups at this point, but as best as I could determine, they didn’t have one to discuss gardening books–until I created it. Won’t you join?
You first have to join LibraryThing, if you’re not already a member, which is basically a website to catalog your books. One commenter called LibraryThing “the myspace of book collecting, but far better of course,” and I guess that’s what it is, for me–but I’m the kind of person who likes to keep records anyway. Adding books is easy, though tedious if you have a lot. I have only catalogued my gardening books, and discovered I have over a hundred! (Bet my family wasn’t surprised.) If you are the type of person who always wants to look over your host’s library when you are a guest, you will enjoy joining a LibraryThing group. You can see at a glance which books are shared by various members, and what other books members are adding.
I actually haven’t really plumbed the possibilities yet. A lot depends on you. Interested?
Update: LibraryThing now can take input from CueCats, one of the least expensive barcode readers in existence. More details here. If the tedium of entering your books was the only thing stopping you from joining LibraryThing, it’s no longer very much of an impediment.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
No, Bill: always check on eBay before you throw anything out. You don’t need to save it if you can sell it.
Damn. I just threw out my cuecats, assuming they were worthless. It just goes to show, as soon as you throw away something you will need it. Save everything!
I see both Craig and OldRoses in the group, but still don’t see Sally.
Well I’m in also! This is too tempting, combining two of my favorite loves, gardening and books.
Sally, now that you’re in LibraryThing, join the Gardening group. There’s a tab towards the upper left that says “Groups.” Click on that and find the Gardening group.
I’ve joined LibraryThing. Kathy, I’ve been lurking for some time, and I so enjoy your photos, writing and garden expertise!
Sally, if it were me I’d let the weather make up my mind.
Carol, I see you did indeed join. Some other LibraryThing members have found the group as well. Anyone else?
Kathy,
Thank you so much for telling us about LibraryThing. I have found most of my favorite gardening books from your “Book Shelf”
Now I need to decide if I’m going to plant bulbs or enter books in LibraryThing this weekend
Sally
I’m going right over there to check it out. I’m in. I love gardening books.