« Teens are savvy online users | Main | Web and Graphics Workers Needed for LibrarianInBlack.net - applicants wanted! »
January 03, 2008
Whaddya do with LibraryThing?
I have heard a lot of library staff talk about the wonders of LibraryThing, but in the same breath wonder how it could be used in the library. LibraryThing has a wonderful page devoted to things you can do with LibraryThing. Some of the ideas are clearly transferable to libraries.
- Put LT on your blog: Create a cute little book-cover-badge showing books in your library. Libraries could use this by creating a "library" of recent arrivals or bestsellers, or even a special featured subject or collection.
- Put LT in your catalog: Install LibraryThing for Libraries in your catalog, adding reviews and recommendations from the ga-jillion LT users out there.
- Button it, baby: Advertise your LT account on your website with a button
What else can you think of?
Incidentally on that same page, you can buy LibraryThing merchandise, including a cute little barcode scanner shaped like a cat. You can also sign up to for LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program and get freebie pre-pub books from publishers, in exchange for reviews on LibraryThing of course.
January 3, 2008 | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c511253ef00e5505218db8833
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Whaddya do with LibraryThing?:
Comments
apprently, LT charges if you want to add over 200 titles, that smacks at bookworm discrimination to me! I've recently started using this recommendation site to catalogue my titles and see what other users suggest. There's also quite a good collection of videos although they could do with adding some more. I'd be interested to see how sites like Library Thing are replicated...
Posted by: Samantha | April 1, 2009
What's quirky about werewolf romances? Those are the only books I read!
We're looking to expand our free library offerings in two ways. First, we're going to be opening up our more than 700,000 covers—through a partner, for free. This will also allow us to provide widgets with covers but WITHOUT links to Amazon. Second, we need to allow widgets to link directly back into the OPAC, not in LibraryThing, if that's what the library wants.
I had some other ideas about where LibraryThing for Libraries could go here https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=27965824&postID=7822689050602934897 .
Posted by: Tim | January14, 2008
Last month I posted a blog about LibraryThing and elaborated on three suggestions about halfway through: rethink the catalog, book clubs, and reader's advisory. We cover several other ideas in our LT class, but that's a start.
We're also impatiently waiting for our Polaris/LibraryThing mash to be ready.
Posted by: Steve | January11, 2008
What a great idea, Pam, thank you for sharing that with us! I have heard of small special libraries using LT as a catalog, but a mini-collection in a library is another great use!
Posted by: Sarah Houghton-Jan (LiB) | January 7, 2008
A badge for recent arrivals would be great, but unless it links back to our catalog instead of to our LT account, it's not much help to the customer.
Posted by: Sharon | January 7, 2008
Use "tagmash" to create quirky booklists. Patron wants Christian memoirs for teens? Or how about werewolf romances?
Posted by: Don | January 6, 2008
We added a new collection of 'zines to our High School library. We weren't sure how to catalog/circulate/keep track of them- so we added them to LibraryThing. The students love it! They can read a 'zine, tag it on LibraryThing, and see what other 'zines we have with the same tag.
We are currently trying to promote LibraryThing to the faculty to get them to share their collections with us & the students.
Here is a link to our 'zine collection:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=PRHSZineLibrary
Posted by: Pam Harland | January 5, 2008
That cat barcode scanner is a joke. I remember getting one of those several years ago when some company was _giving_ those away.
Posted by: nushustu | January 4, 2008
