Do you use any of the online book-cataloguing sites, like Library Thing or Shelfari? Why or why not? (Or . . . do you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking to?? (grin))
If not an online catalog, do you use any other method to catalog your book collection? Excel spreadsheets, index cards, a notebook, anything?
Despite being a library page for my very first job and going on to be a teacher-librarian, I do not keep automated records of my books. In fact, unless they are the reference books in my home office, neatly shelved within arm’s reach of the computer, you could say I shelve them according to where they will fit. Why? I dunno. I think my natural instinct is to be only as organized as I have to be, preferably when someone is paying me to do so. I’m a pack rat who has trouble throwing away any published item. Once every three years I throw out enough magazines to start a recycling business. I could fight it, but my husband’s just the same. It’s like a bad Star Trek episode where the lead character gets doubled and has to wrestle with himself on camera. Well, sort of like that. No pancake makeup, no fake sweat.
I guess I like to be as organised as possible – it usually seems to be a battle I’m losing, so I’m really glad of something that makes cataloguing my books easy.
I’ve started being ruthless about magazines because there’s just no space to put anything down. I don’t even know where they come from – I don’t buy them!
Ha—I can relate to your description. Except for the magazines, which I’ve largely outlawed at this point for just that reason.
When I found Library Thing last year, I went ahead and purchased the life-time subscription. Figured I would use it!! I’m gradually adding my books. But with the amount I have, it could take a while!!
A few years back I had at least 8 magazine subscriptions. I couldn’t read all of them…especially with Time and Newsweek coming 2X a month. I loved them, but just couldn’t see the expense anymore.
Happy Thursday!!
I agree with you… organized — yes (I guess you could say that); recorded or catalogued — no. I guess I never thought about it much. Diane
I am as organised about as is possible for me. I am not paranoid.
Booking through Cataloguing
I too shelve them where they fit–on a shelf, next to the bed, under the crib….