LibraryThing Experience

What is LibraryThing and what can I use it for?

Exploring LibraryThing was actually quite fun. Last semester JaDene had us set up an account, so I had already explored LibraryThing a little bit. I was able to further explore this site and see what it was all about. LibraryThing is a cataloging and social networking sight where book lovers can add books to their collection, search their collection, sort books into different collections create new collections, edit information about the books, print a copy of their catalog, write reviews, and apply tags. LibraryThing gives quality facts about books. Each book pages shows members who have that particular book and their opinions of the book, as well as tags, reviews, and links to conversations about a book. A person with a LibraryThing account can write information about him or herself, which can be open for the public eye or kept private. In a person’s profile, he or she can list favorite authors, favorite bookstores, or favorite libraries; leave comments for other members; and see the interesting data about other people’s books. There are also “Talks” or discussion groups where people discuss different topics and books. LibraryThing also has a page where people can find out about different bookstores, libraries, and book festivals in their areas. Such activities as author readings, author signings, author discussions and other events are posted so a person can see what is going on locally. I think it is neat that a LibraryThing widget can be added to a blog so people can see what I am reading. Some other interesting things about LibraryThing are that a person can access it on a phone and a person can receive pre-published books for free if they read them and write reviews for them.

LibraryThing Uses

While observing at a high school this week, I asked the school librarian if she had ever thought of using LibraryThing in her library. She asked me how a librarian could use LibraryThing in a school setting. I proceeded to explain to her that in LibraryThing, there are book reviews. When someone looks at a review for a particular book, LibraryThing will recommend books that are similar to that one. A librarian could use this feature to help students and teachers find books.  A librarian could also find out about local events, such as book signings or author readings or discussions to advertise to students.  Additionally, the librarian could also help organize “book club discussions” for students via the “Talks” discussion feature. A librarian could add a LibraryThing widget to a library blog to make recommendations about books.

If students had their own LibraryThing accounts, they could read book reviews and see what sort of books they wanted to read. Also, they could see book recommendations that are similar to the books they are considering. It is also a way that students can link to their friends and see what different people are reading. They could join discussion groups about books or topics of interest.

Teachers could also use this site. They could write their own book reviews, which students, parents, or other teachers could read in LibraryThing. Teachers could use LibraryThing for book reviews and book recommendations while collaborating, perhaps via the discussion feature, with other teachers. They could also become aware of local events, which they could recommend to students when such activities tie into the curriculum.

LibraryThing for Libraries

I have not looked too far into this, but there is also a LibraryThing for Libraries that enhances Online Public Access Catalogs (OPAC).  Such things as tags, reviews, similar books, and lexile measurements can be added directly into an OPAC to help patrons as they search for materials.