BS: Any good home library catalog software?

Subject: Any good home library catalog software?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 May 01 - 04:30 PM

Just wondering if any of our resident bibliophiles and/or librarians know of any good software, preferably shareware, for cataloguing one's home library.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 May 01 - 04:45 PM

Wouldn't any decent spreadsheet program do that?

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 May 01 - 05:13 PM

I don't know, Clinton. I hate the one which comes with MSWorks, so I was hoping someone might know of one that is specifically for libraries.

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 May 01 - 06:37 PM

Kat, I'm working on getting my home library cataloged, and I get along fine by building a table in Microsoft Word. Do you have MSWord at home? If so, I could email you a sample. Actually, I can move my list back and forth between different software easily. How much data do you want to keep about each book anyway? I find all I need is author, title, and Library of Congress catalog number. I'm thinking of adding a code to indicate hardcover/trade-paperback/mass-market-paperback, because I keep those in different places because of their sizes.

What is it exactly that you find difficult about MSWorks? The only difficulty I know of is that the word-processor portion of MSWorks doesn't allow you to sort. But the database portion does. If you like, I could do some experimenting and work out a method that should work well for you, and I could email you any templates you need, or sample files.

Tell me exactly what kind of software you have, including version numbers, and I'll see what I can do.

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 16 May 01 - 06:45 PM

My favorite database program (for the past 15 years) is called AskSam. It's a full-text search program that allows you to define fields if you wish. Small, fast and free-form, it stores stuff in ASCII, allows you to import text files directly and doesn't care if all records have the same number or type of fields. It permits Boolean searches. It's the one that made DigiTrad possible.

AskSam was developed for librarians. The old DOS program--which was the best one, IMO--is no longer supported, but there's a Windows version which can be downloaded for a free 30-day trial

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: SeanM
Date: 16 May 01 - 06:50 PM

We use MS Access for the home library here. It's a bit overpowered for the job, but it allows for the fairly easy creation of a data entry form, as well as moderately simple search facilities for finding data once it's in.

Of course, it's also not shareware, but I've known quite a few people who got it with their basic computer set up and just not known it.

M

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: Bill D
Date: 16 May 01 - 06:51 PM

on this page is (among others)

Electronic Assistant Electronic Assistant a 32-bit information manager. Featuring a simple, pleasant interface, it lets you manage various types of information in five modules: Organizer, Journal, Collections, Schedule, and ToDo. The Organizer lets you store data about friends, relatives, and colleagues. Information displayed at all times includes the individual's name, company, nickname, and primary phone number and email address. Buttons are provided to access additional address, phone, email, and memo areas. The Journal provides an area to store daily information. All entries are organized and date-stamped. The Collections module lets you store information on and keep track of CDs, CD-R/RWs, tapes, and books. Different information is displayed at all times, depending on which submodule is selected. The Schedule area lets you set alarms and reminders that will be activated at a designated time. Finally, use the ToDo module to make notes to serve as reminders that can be reviewed at a later time. Throughout the program, you'll find search, filter, and print functions.

also.....

SVW Datakeeper A small and easy to use database application to store any data you like (e.g. addresses, passwords, etc.) features: +Save as HTML document retaining almost ALL database characteristics (Fonts, welcome message, colors, file links, etc) +Import and export of ASCII database files *.CSV *.ASC *.TAB *.TXT (used by many programs e.g. Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access) to provide portability to other programs you like to work with. +column as well as record drag and drop +Password protection per database file +Database look is adjustable (Font, colors, etc.) +Sorting of records by a single click on the column +Enhanced standard database file encryption +SQL like command console +Generates very small (and easy to exchange) database files +Automatic document registration (so you can double click the file types supported by SvW Data keeper to open them). +Execute www links, file paths or any other command contained in the database directly from SvW Da! ta keeper. (Create them by just typing them). +etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 May 01 - 08:50 PM

Holy Cow! You guys are great! Thanks all you'se!

Jim, I did a mailing list in MSWorks and found it to be a a cumbersome, pain in the behind; but then, I don't like MSWorks for just writing letters, etc., either. *BG* I used to have a very elegant mailing program on my old 386. We used it for the arts center I worked at. It was simple and easy to use, so I'd like to find something like that. Thank you very much for your offer! If I don't find anything else, I may take you up on it.

I was hoping to find something as easy to use as Yeah, Write! which someone recommended to me when I asked about WP programs. It has turned out to be a grand little program. I really love it.

So, I will look at the links Bill has provided and figure out just exactly what I want. I know I want at least the title, author, date of copyright, condition, which issue (first edition or not), publisher, etc. And, I want it searchable. And, for that reason, I will also look at AskSam. Thanks a bunch, Dick.

I love Mudcatters! They are the best!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: Chicken Charlie
Date: 17 May 01 - 08:56 PM

Kat--

Somehow I missed this thread.

As a librarian when not doing anything relevant, I certainly agree with those who warn against overkill. A simple dbase program will work just fine for what you want. I still have very outdated DBase III+ for personal use, and have never seen any reason to upgrade. You design the database rather easily and yes, search or sort on any field. A real "library" program would have too much jazz for librarian minutia, would cost outlandishly, and would take too much space. How many books roughly are we talking about?? Oh, here's a hint: When you set up your own form, use a different field for EVERYTHING. Author's last name goes in one place (max size by long experience, 14 spaces); first name goes in another. Then when you aren't sure, you can track down "Edgar" whether the last name is spelled Cayce, Casey or Kesey. Etc. Oh, if you start with one simply dbase package and someday want to upgrade, many will "translate" older systems so you will not have to re-key.

Good luck, CC

Subject: RE: BS: Any good home library catalog software?
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 18 May 01 - 02:29 AM

kat--

Hubby does a lot of indexing, inventorying, and keeping of records in MS Excel, but again, this may be overkill for what you want to do.

For my book, collectibles, and garden inventories, I use a simple little database program called (appropriately enough) My Database For Windows. The same company has a mail program for doing mailing lists, and an invoicing program for invoices and estimates. These programs are all cheap (I think they're all around $30 or so) and reasonably easy to learn and use. They're really basic as each program does ONLY the one thing--no bells and whistles. I use both My Database and My Invoices, and like them a lot.

Lin