Do you keep a record of all your books you have and used?

[hsmom]

I was just curious if anyone else does this. Well I am starting this I should say. My main reason for this is I went to buy something and ended up having to cancel my order because I remembered I already had it.
So, I decided to keep track of all the books, workbooks, and such that I have for my reference.

If you do, do this what do you use; notebook, computer program, etc.?

[mcconnellboys]

I have lists and lists, but don't take lists with me when I shop, alas, and *have* bought the same book over again - sometimes more than once, LOL! At least I'm consistent in my tastes.....

[Chris in CA]

No, we don't here, but I don't keep alot of extras around, if we don't use it, it goes

[Targhee]

If you do, do this what do you use; notebook, computer program, etc.?

Bento! If you're a Mac user (I don't think they have it for Windows) check out Bento. It's a database program for the small-scale/home user made by File Maker (the database people). I have just started to use it to keep track of all sorts of stuff (including books).

Excell works, too. But the graphic interface in Bento (as well extras like drop down menus, ratings, etc.) make it especially great for things like this.

Shannon

[ArwenA]

I've just started using Shelfari (http://www.shelfari.com) because we have too many books. I find I rarely have time to catalogue them, but I'm trying.:) It works pretty well.

[Beth in Central TX]

I keep track of our books with Bookcollectorz software, and I keep track of our school books with Edu-Track software.

[Trivium Academy]

I made a spreadsheet

TITLE_________________AUTHOR________________Kid 1_________Kid 2__

Summer Stargazing____Dickinson________________ √___________ __

Forgive the lines, but I'm making an inventory of all our books, I just finished science and I figure if we would just read all the books we have, they would have a wonderful science education.

I'm making spreadsheets for younger children's books (preschool-1st), early readers, chapter books and older literature- that way I can see which books the kids have read and what they haven't from our home library. I figure this will make our reading lists for each year a little easier.

I will also have lists for music, art, scientist biographies (even though the books will come from the library, I have a list), book lists for curriculums we use (Galloping the Globe, Teaching Physical Science through Children's Literature*). *I don't have yet but have some of the books for it.

I do not want to keep it on the computer, I want printouts so I'll just add new books at the end of the list. My children keep their own "Books I've Read" list.

[claussenpc]

I use HS Tracker and have started using it to record all my books. I hope this works for the same reason you mentioned.

[Sue G in PA]

I use HS Tracker and have started using it to record all my books. I hope this works for the same reason you mentioned.

Is this feature available on the free version or only on the upgrade? Thanks.

[fruitful vine]

I didn't keep a record of my books, but I think I will have to start!
I had the same problem this year!! I bought a book I already had!! Oops!:blink:
I think my computer will work best for me to make a list. Otherwise, I'm likely to lose anything else!!

[sweetbaby]

I also keep our reading list on the reading log provided in Homeschool Tracker. I can print them off to review what we have read. I also keep a list of literature that I use in our subjects.

[nmoira]

For books I own, I use LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com); for library books, workbooks, etc. I use Homeschool Tracker.

[Paula in PA]

We are in the process of entering all of our books into it. I like it because you can create different databases for each type of book catagory. I've made ones for all of our school books, our personal fiction collections, our non-fiction collection, and our gaming books. I use Homeschool Tracker+ to keep track of what we've actually used from our school books, as well as library books.

[nutmeg]

I use Readerware and Library Thing to organize my home library.

[tinkgumby]

I have an Excel spreadsheet, which I update sporadically.

[Osaubi]

I use Gurulib.com for organizing my books. It is free and you can even seperate by shelves. I like the way you can look at the front of the books you own. Since sometimes I can see the book, but not remember the name.

[kls126s]

Books we own - (no small collection :glare:)
I use Readerware to keep track of our home library. I also have wishlists in here to keep track of books I've run across and would like to have sometime. You can track how much you've spent and other useful bits in here.

Books I have read -
Purchased books, library books, borrowed books, etc - I use goodreads.com to keep track of everything I've read. I use the "To Read" tab to plan my reading goals for each year and move them to "Read" as I finish them.

It would be easy to set up a goodreads.com account for older kids and have them keep track of their reading there too. Mine are younger, so we're starting a reading notebook this year. Might have them do it online in the future though.

HS Books -
I just purchased Edu-Track and am playing with the books features. This is useful for documenting what we've read, but I'd also like to be able to keep track of how much I'm spending per year/course/child, etc. Hoping it will keep me grounded when I get the Rainbow catalog and put 800 sticky notes in it. LOL

[Lisawa]

I do keep track, but I don’t stress on it. Once they hit Jr. High... yes... every book. I don’t see the point for younger grades, other than you want to.

For High School I would say yes, its a must, especially if they are going off to college. Depending on what they have read... colleges love to "see" and hear all about the literature kids have read.:001_smile:

[Lisawa]

Picture me slapping my forehead...

I didn’t even answer the rest of the question... as for keeping track of what we own.... I dont... It would take me forever and a year to do that.

I tend to go through what I have before I buy, but I have never logged anything.

My literature, history, etc for TOG is kept in boxes by year plan. So I know right where to go. Every thing else is on one of many books shelves. *Ü*

[Melora in NC]

For books I own, I use LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com); for library books, workbooks, etc. I use Homeschool Tracker.

Same here. Of course, Knowing that I own something is not the same as being able to Find it.:glare:

[OhElizabeth]

Readerware here too. You can get a scanner off ebay for less than $10. Very fast, loads up all the info. Back to about 1950 books have ISBN or LCCN's. Books older than that you end up manually entering, but even then it's totally worth it. I sat down with the SL and VP catalogs yesterday to compare what I own to what they list and was able to go through both catalogs in a matter of minutes. (I was only looking at one year of history obviously.) I started off with another software program where you had to manually enter everything. Being able to scan barcodes and enter in ISBN's/LCCN's is a DREAM!

As far as a log of books read, I've done that in the past for certain subjects, especially history. I just wouldn't stress about it. (put a piece of paper on the shelf and have them write it down when done) Around here books tend to get read and reread many times, so I don't see the value of a one-time read list.

[Mostlyamom]

First, I decided that I preferred to keep track of my historical-related materials.

I started with a list of Literature to Supplement History which is on the Paula's Archives website:

http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/history.htm

I put it in a word processing file--I use Word, but you could use any one for this system. If the file gets too big, I will split it by years (such as Year 1 of the WTM system). I didn't want the expense of learning other software, and I didn't want to learn how to use it. Also, I LOVE being able to just search for a book title in my document, and have it show up!

Then, as I found books in my house, or purchased books, I added them to my list. When I read sources of book recommendations, even things I didn't purchase, I add them to my book list in case I want ideas in the future on a particular topic. When I check the library for whether I will be able to borrow a book in the future, I will often add a note to my list about how available the book seems, and perhaps the name of a local library which has the book. I type "own it" after a book listing. I also sometimes insert book descriptions that show up when I do library searches or bookseller searches so that I have a few more details about the book.

The other thing I add to it, sometimes, is WHERE a book is recommended, as I often find that I agree with certain people or book lists more than others, and the grade recommendations can help.

Pat