Keeping track of library books ...

Catsnkites · 02-18-2014, 01:12 AM

This has always been an issue ... even with paper books ... I read A LOT, as I'm quite sure most of you do.

I check out books from the library 10 at a time. paper or ebooks.

When I went to the library and got paper books, I could generally tell if I'd read it before because I could read the first few pages ...

With ebooks, I don't have that ability. Certainly not a big deal if I check something out that I read a year ago, I can return it and get something else ...

But, do you have a system for keeping track?

Luckily, Amazon and Barnes & Noble will tell me if I already own a book, but my library won't tell me if I've already checked a book out ....

I suppose a spread sheet ... but that just seems awfully nerd-y and my kids will tell you I'm nerd-y enough, thank you very much

.

I also guess I could just not delete the books from ADE after they expire ... then I'd know if there were duplicates ... but, again, that will eventually be 100's of books that I can't read again (expired) taking up space on my hard drive ...

Thoughts?

eschwartz · 02-18-2014, 01:29 AM

Well, I can see what books I've checked out, since they appear in Amazon on Manage Your Kindle, after the loan expires -- if you checked them out for a Kindle.

eschwartz · 02-18-2014, 01:34 AM

Also, I use the OverDrive Link plugin for calibre to keep track of what's available. If I've already read it, I will "Ignore" the book under the Discovered books list, so it won't show up until I select "Show Ignored".

The plugin helps me find books at all the libraries I have available, and when I've read it I hide it from the list to avoid confusing me... it all works out...

Try it, it's really handy!

Billi · 02-18-2014, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catsnkites

But, do you have a system for keeping track?
....
I suppose a spread sheet ... but that just seems awfully nerd-y and my kids will tell you I'm nerd-y enough, thank you very much

.

I couldn't care less what anybody could say about it - this is just what I do. Not exactly a spread sheet, but I use a library management program to keep track of everything that I read (and to collect quotes from the respective books).

tubemonkey · 02-18-2014, 04:21 AM

I don't have that problem. I only check out one book at a time and always remember what I've previously checked out. I also don't keep track of books I've read, nor do I have a TBR list.

soulfuldog · 02-18-2014, 04:29 AM

I just add them to Calibre as normal, tag them as library books and delete the actual epub file. The title is still listed in Calibre, so you know you've read it, even though the actual book has been deleted.

Tizzalicious · 02-18-2014, 05:33 AM

How about keeping track of what you read on GoodReads?

latepaul · 02-18-2014, 07:11 AM

Be nice to have this problem... OTOH my TBR is long enough without library books.

bookaho!ic · 02-18-2014, 07:51 AM

I used to use a spreadsheet but now use goodreads

Katsunami · 02-18-2014, 07:54 AM

Put the books into a TXT file. Sort the file. Put this file onto your phone.

There. Now you can find out at the spot if you read the book

sharphamster · 02-18-2014, 08:14 AM

LibraryThing's set-up works for me. It uses tags and collections both. I have borrowing privileges at three libraries, so I tag checkouts by library too. The list is downloadable also.

BookLikes and GoodReads have the same features, I believe.

Bookworm_Girl · 02-18-2014, 10:18 AM

I have two methods. First my library allows you to rate a book with stars. You can then view the titles that you've rated under Lists in your Account settings. Also when you are looking at a book you can tell if you've given it stars already.

My second method is that I use Goodreads and have a category for borrowed books.

gabby98 · 02-18-2014, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

I just add them to Calibre as normal, tag them as library books and delete the actual epub file. The title is still listed in Calibre, so you know you've read it, even though the actual book has been deleted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tizzalicious

How about keeping track of what you read on GoodReads?

I do both of these...though my calibre is more accurate as I just go into Goodreads

Purple Lady · 02-18-2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

I just add them to Calibre as normal, tag them as library books and delete the actual epub file. The title is still listed in Calibre, so you know you've read it, even though the actual book has been deleted.

This is what I do as well. I recently added a dummy epub to each so that I could download them to Calibre Companion. Having them in Calibre allows me to keep the cover, description and rating I give.

Catsnkites · 02-18-2014, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

First my library allows you to rate a book with stars. You can then view the titles that you've rated under Lists in your Account settings. Also when you are looking at a book you can tell if you've given it stars already.

BINGO!

Perfect ... the main library I use does this! A smaller library that I also use does not do ratings ... but it's set-up bugs the bejeezes out of me, so I mainly only use it if I'm looking for a specific book.

Thank you!

02-18-2014, 01:12 AM	#1
Catsnkites Connoisseur Posts: 91 Karma: 8198 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kansas Device: Kobo Libre	Keeping track of library books ... This has always been an issue ... even with paper books ... I read A LOT, as I'm quite sure most of you do. I check out books from the library 10 at a time. paper or ebooks. When I went to the library and got paper books, I could generally tell if I'd read it before because I could read the first few pages ... With ebooks, I don't have that ability. Certainly not a big deal if I check something out that I read a year ago, I can return it and get something else ... But, do you have a system for keeping track? Luckily, Amazon and Barnes & Noble will tell me if I already own a book, but my library won't tell me if I've already checked a book out .... I suppose a spread sheet ... but that just seems awfully nerd-y and my kids will tell you I'm nerd-y enough, thank you very much . I also guess I could just not delete the books from ADE after they expire ... then I'd know if there were duplicates ... but, again, that will eventually be 100's of books that I can't read again (expired) taking up space on my hard drive ... Thoughts?

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02-18-2014, 01:29 AM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Well, I can see what books I've checked out, since they appear in Amazon on Manage Your Kindle, after the loan expires -- if you checked them out for a Kindle.

02-18-2014, 01:34 AM	#3
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Also, I use the OverDrive Link plugin for calibre to keep track of what's available. If I've already read it, I will "Ignore" the book under the Discovered books list, so it won't show up until I select "Show Ignored". The plugin helps me find books at all the libraries I have available, and when I've read it I hide it from the list to avoid confusing me... it all works out... Try it, it's really handy!

02-18-2014, 04:21 AM	#5
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,477 Karma: 158151390 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	I don't have that problem. I only check out one book at a time and always remember what I've previously checked out. I also don't keep track of books I've read, nor do I have a TBR list.

02-18-2014, 04:29 AM	#6
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	I just add them to Calibre as normal, tag them as library books and delete the actual epub file. The title is still listed in Calibre, so you know you've read it, even though the actual book has been deleted.

02-18-2014, 05:33 AM	#7
Tizzalicious Connoisseur Posts: 91 Karma: 956996 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Netherlands Device: Kobo Aura, Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Glo, iPad 2, iPhone 5	How about keeping track of what you read on GoodReads?

02-18-2014, 07:11 AM	#8
latepaul Wizard Posts: 1,264 Karma: 10203040 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: a variety (mostly kindles and kobos)	Be nice to have this problem... OTOH my TBR is long enough without library books.

02-18-2014, 07:51 AM	#9
bookaho!ic Evangelist Posts: 463 Karma: 5575734 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: UK Device: kobo Aura H20 2nd Ed	I used to use a spreadsheet but now use goodreads

02-18-2014, 07:54 AM	#10
Katsunami Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,111 Karma: 34000001 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: KPW1, KA1	Put the books into a TXT file. Sort the file. Put this file onto your phone. There. Now you can find out at the spot if you read the book

02-18-2014, 08:14 AM	#11
sharphamster Anathema Device Posts: 283 Karma: 257456 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Sony T3/350, Kobo AuraH20/Mini, Axim X50v	LibraryThing's set-up works for me. It uses tags and collections both. I have borrowing privileges at three libraries, so I tag checkouts by library too. The list is downloadable also. BookLikes and GoodReads have the same features, I believe.

02-18-2014, 10:18 AM	#12
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,871 Karma: 36507503 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	I have two methods. First my library allows you to rate a book with stars. You can then view the titles that you've rated under Lists in your Account settings. Also when you are looking at a book you can tell if you've given it stars already. My second method is that I use Goodreads and have a category for borrowed books.

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