This post is partly an advertisement for Library Thing, not that I get any remuneration, and partly an advertisement for libraries in general.
First of all, Library Thing. I love LibraryThing. At their website, you can catalog all your books and then share the list with whomever you want. LibraryThing “helps you to create a library-quality catalog of your books. You can do all of them or just what you’re reading now. And because everyone catalogs online, they also catalog together. LibraryThing connects people based on the books they share.” I’m planning to get our homeschool co-op members to use LibraryThing, and then we wil be able to set up a group and easily share and borrow books and other materials among ourselves. If you’re a book lover with a home library, you really should check it out.
Part 2, libraries. Our library system is so helpful. I didn’t know that not all libraries are giving this service, but if yours isn’t, you should talk to your librarians. In Harris County (Houston), I can go online to the catalog for the entire library system and find the books and materials I want to borrow. Then, I just put a request into the system and my librarian at my branch library gathers the materials for me whereever they are and puts them on a reserve shelf with my name on them. I can pick up the materials at my convenience. I am amazed at how easy it is to find and check out the materials I need for homeschooling or just for my own pleasure reading.
So, LibraryThing and libraries. Both of them work for me. Check out the other Works-for-Me Wednesday tips at Rocks in My Dryer.
I am on my way to check this one out. thanks for the idea!
Oh, I live next door to the library. Really. Still doesn’t seem to help me with my overdue fines… and it’s a really dreadful library. The other library I belong to isn’t online yet! I’m going to talk to the head librarian about posting the library catalog online, because that woul dbe SO helpful.
I love Library Thing, too.
Thanks for sharing this as your WFMW! I found Library Thing a few months ago and have been meaning to start categorizing my books ever since. That is a *great* idea to have every in your homeschool co-op use it to form a group ‘library’ of sorts! Love it!
What fun, I love our online library too.
Okay, LibraryThing looks so awesome. I have SO many books that it will take me forever to catalog them. But I’m going to get started! Thanks for posting this!
I haven’t heard about Library Thing, but I will look into that. The second tip I use all the time. It is just a huge time saver for me. Plus our branch has a drive thru window, so I can get it just like I would a drive thru dinner, except without the payment.
Just what I’ve been dreaming of. And what a great way to share resources with my co-op group!
Cool–I’m going to bookmark this and check it out.