Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary_M_Mugford
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
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Tip:
Do small batches (15-20 books), Stack them in order to later resolve problems that surface
Open Notepad
And scan your books EAN (the ones that start:978) there, or type the ISBN if your books do not have EAN (ISBN-13). if the SBN/ISBN did not show one.
Also note older books did not always include the leading 0 or the check digit, but may have coded the price (441-17575-095) on the end
Select All (ctrl-a) Copy
Use the "Add from ISBN" selection on the Add Books arrow.: Paste from clipboard.
No need to open an empty book first.
tip2: before you start: preferences: Look and Feel: Tags to add: [In Paper Library]
Very brisk Meta-data fetch happens.
Now resolve the issues:
1) count the books piled and verify the same number of records were created (bad ISBN coded on book? fingers?) set aside the 'missing' item.
2) Edit the 'Unknowns' (the reason for the ordered pile becomes clearer
now).
3) Fix the imported Naming 'your way'
Now manually add empty books for the ISBN-less books and any problem that the scan missed.
If possible,Get a (used?) Commercial grade Laser Hand Scanner (thin red line), not a Steel Wand or a cheap CCD, contact type (red 'flood' light).
Also note: you probably want a USB 'Keyboard wedge' connection (or PS2 only if you have a PS2 keyboard and port)
A used 'Symbol LS4000' should be about $50 and is the workhorse of checkout stands everywhere
900 PB books done so far
.