|
I am using Calibre to manage paper books, as it happens. The key, of course, is a hand scanner that lets you read the ISBN barcodes on the books. It basically takes a minute or two to create the blank, scan in the ISBN, add the PB or TP tag code and then download the metadata. Like you, I have a considerable library (I bought the house from the parents because it was cheaper to build them a retirement home than move my books ... and there wasn't space for them AND my books [G]).
At any rate, the task, whatever the program, is a little daunting. But here's the big secret ... that's what kids are for. Each has to scan in a hundred books a week. I'll eventually have to go back to work on the hardcovers and sundry collected ephemera from before the barcode was universal. But in the meantime, I have my 'library' almost into Calibre, leaving me some interesting factoids. Like the 11 different books I own in some format or the other that have the title Masquerade. The six different copies of John Carter of Mars, all but one in paper format. It's REAL easy to just go burrowing through Calibre, when you SHOULD be off doing something productive ... to earn the money to pay the kids to ...
Well, you get the drift. Get the scanner, they are often available for sub 100 bucks. Best thing you could possibly do.
GM
|