Solving the Home Library Problem?

zgrossbart asks: "My wife and I have about 3,500 books. We can't find anything. All the books are in random order. We want to find a solution for organizing our books. We have a barcode scanner, but I'm not sure the best way to use it. I want a solution that is easy to maintain going forward and makes books easy to find. I also want the data in an open format. I'm think about using MySQL right now, but I'm open to other suggestions. What software do other people use to organize their home libraries?"

Government Solution!

[eldavojohn]

Dear Mr. Guy Montag [wikipedia.org],

It has come to our attention that you have a surplus of books stored at your residence.

We have already dispatched firemen to alleviate you of this horrible affliction--fire trucks will be there within the hour. For you see, special-interest groups and other "minorities" objected to books that offended them. As a result, books all began to look the same, as writers tried to avoid offending anybody. This isn't enough, however, and society as a whole decided to simply burn books rather than permit conflicting opinions.

There are other unpleasantries that books cause but there is no need for me to go that far into detail.

As you can see, your search for a digital Dewey decimal system is unneeded. And it is quite peculiar that anyone should have as many books as you do. Do not worry, though, we are a free public service!

Thank you again in your cooperation and trust that our services will be a valuable solution to your growing literary problem.

Sincerely,

Karl Rove [wikipedia.org] Senior Advisor & Chief Political Advisor The Bush Administration

Um...

[DorkusMasterus]

I think you lost most of the slashdotters when you started with "My Wife..." People are googling this "wife" to see what they can find out about the phenomenon. Once that dies down, then maybe you'll get some results.

Have kids and you won't care anymore about trivia

[xxxJonBoyxxx]

"My wife and I have about 3,500 books. We can't find anything. All the books are in random order."

Have a couple of kids and you'll find that trivial stuff like this will be the least of your concerns - most of your possessions will be in random places.

"We want to find a solution for organizing our books. I also want the data in an open format. "

Dewey decimal system? Maybe one of you should pick up a degree in library science.

"We have a barcode scanner, but I'm not sure the best way to use it.

Aim the red light (the "la-ser") at the "zebra stripes" and wait until you hear a beep.

"What software do other people use to organize their home libraries?"

Hell, I read books to get a break from computers. I think if I had that many books I'd donate most of them to the local library. I know I don't have time to reread 3,500 books - there's millions more out there I haven't read yet!

Anything else I can help you with today?

Just use the standard system:

[SeeMyNuts!]

Shelf 1: Romance Novels
Shelf 2: Thermodynamics Textbooks

With all that steam, you can also use that room as a sauna!

--
Nanoscale Woodworking [atributetonuts.com]

Re:BookCrossing

[goodEvans]

I prefer the Dead Milkmen's solution here:

"If you love somebody, better set them on fire..."

Re:That's exactly what I'm doing!

[Scaba]

I'm actually working on a project that EXACTLY fits your problem. Please check it out at homelibrary at sourceforge. I've only just started the project, it's not very easy to install right now, and there are a few bugs, but I started it with the exact problem in mind.

The word "sourceforge" in the second sentence makes the third superfluous.

Outsource to your local library

[markjugg]

Outsource this task to your local library by donating all but your frequently needed reference books there.

Then you can easily browse the shelves, use a computerized search search system, or even ask a live person for help. You'll even been able to find books you didn't even own before. All for free!

Re:Why software?

[Anonymous Coward]

Unless you have a massive reference collection or are checking books out to friends...

There's another good reason: I lend out my books a lot...

Who needs books if you can't read?

Re:That's exactly what I'm doing!

[Monkelectric]

I wish I had modpoints for ya :) Source Forge: The largest repository of software that only works for the author.

Re:That's exactly what I'm doing!

[nogginthenog]

This is a good example: http://sourceforge.net/projects/slashcode [sourceforge.net]

Re:Closed Source but reliable

[jnik]

It's also slower than molasses in January in Maine
Which end of Maine? Molasses probably isn't much slower in southern Maine than in Massachusetts, where molasses in January has been clocked at 35 MPH [wikipedia.org].

Re:Finding books..

[geekoid]

You could put an rfid label on every book. This way not only can you find out where a book is, you can also update it's location on the fly as you add new books.

There is no problem I can't solve by spending enough of your money.

Re:BookCrossing

[schon]

If you love somebody, better set them on fire...

Give a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a night. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life...

UHF offers some advice

[LanMan04]

Announcer: "Never before in the history of motion pictures has there been a screen presence so commanding ... so powerful ... so deadly ... He's CONAN THE LIBRARIAN!"

Library Patron: "Can you tell me where I could find a book on astronomy?"

Conan: "Don't you know ... THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM?!"

Announcer: "Conan the Librarian..."

Library Patron: "I'm sorry, these books are a little overdue..."

Conan: "RAR!"

**Conan cuts library patron in half with enormous 2-handed sword**

Announcer: "Conan the Librarian ... Tonight, only on U."

Re:Get off your behind...

[whitehatlurker]

Bravo Furry!

I'd've stopped after "organize your books", but anyway ...

--
Slow down cowboy - it's been 12 days, 4 hours, 6 minutes and 4 seconds since your last post.

Re:Closed Source but reliable

[grassy_knoll]

It works with either a scanner or you cna manually enter numbers.

I think I see a problem with your solution...

[badum-ching]

Re:Um...

[CSMastermind]

For those of you curious.....A wife [wikipedia.org] is commonly [reference.com] refered to as: [google.com] A woman joined to a man in marriage; a female spouse........or so dictionary.com tells me.

You may remember several famous wife's.....like Princese Leia and Marge Simpson.


I'm thinking this post will hurt my karma.....

....and I'll proablly give up at life if this gets modded + anything, Insightful

Fire At Presidential Library

[LearnToSpell]

CRAWFORD, TEXAS -- A tragic fire on Sunday destroyed the personal library of President George W. Bush. Both of his books have been lost.

A presidential spokesman said the president was devastated, as he had not finished coloring the second one.

um

[Run4yourlives]

...it isn't my congress. :-)

Seriously though, LoC doesn't work too well if you live in the rest of the world.

Re:BookCrossing

[eldepeche]

If writing in a book is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Unmentioned Important Tips

[woolio]

We have a barcode scanner, but I'm not sure the best way to use it

Do these people know how to use a computer???

Directions for How to Use a Bar Code Scanner:

• Attach bar code scanner to computer.
  
• Turn computer on.
  
• Point aformentioned scanner at a bar code
  
• Depress the button on the scanner.
  

Tips/Warnings

• DO NOT point the bar code scanner at anyone's eyes.
  
• DO NOT attempt to scan your butt... It won't work unless it has a bar code already on it.
  
• DO NOT use product in a bath tub..
  
• DO NOT use outdoors.
  
• Keep away from small children.
  
• DO NOT leave unattended.
  
• DO NOT disassemble.
  
• DO NOT use for laser-tag games.