Library book inventory management that's not library elf
October 15, 2009 5:20 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for a computer program to keep track of the library books I have taken out. Difficulty level: Can't use Library Books. I've tried Library Elf and I hate it.
I loved, loved, loved Library Books for the Mac - just click the star in the menu bar and every single book you've taken out from the library is there, with the date it's due next to it- but I recently switched to Linux.
I tried putting an RSS feed from Library Elf in my Firefox bookmark bar, but when I click on it, I still have to log into the Library Elf website (it doesn't keep my user info, even though I've told it to), and then I have to pick "daily snapshot" (and hope that it's been updated in time) to see what library books are out, and which are due.
I know that I can have Library Elf send me e-mails; I have that set up with my library system directly. I end up ignoring them.
So I guess my questions are: am I doing something wrong with Library Elf that's making me jump through so many hoops just to see what's due, and, if that's the way Library Elf runs, is there another program that will give me the "one click and you see EVERYTHING" list I crave?
I loved, loved, loved Library Books for the Mac - just click the star in the menu bar and every single book you've taken out from the library is there, with the date it's due next to it- but I recently switched to Linux.
I tried putting an RSS feed from Library Elf in my Firefox bookmark bar, but when I click on it, I still have to log into the Library Elf website (it doesn't keep my user info, even though I've told it to), and then I have to pick "daily snapshot" (and hope that it's been updated in time) to see what library books are out, and which are due.
I know that I can have Library Elf send me e-mails; I have that set up with my library system directly. I end up ignoring them.
So I guess my questions are: am I doing something wrong with Library Elf that's making me jump through so many hoops just to see what's due, and, if that's the way Library Elf runs, is there another program that will give me the "one click and you see EVERYTHING" list I crave?
Sorry to disagree with you box. My library system requires you to click at least 5 times with a login that is all numbers. I don't know what Lucinda's library is like but it's obviously not working for her.
My suggestion is to try another RSS reader, maybe it will be able to keep your login info.
posted by Gor-ella at 6:39 AM on October 15, 2009
My suggestion is to try another RSS reader, maybe it will be able to keep your login info.
posted by Gor-ella at 6:39 AM on October 15, 2009
Would it be worth holding out and waiting for the Library Elf iCal option?
Also, maybe ask your library - mine had the ability to email me information - but it was not mentioned at all on their website. There might even be an rss feed I can subscribe to.
posted by backwards guitar at 6:54 AM on October 15, 2009
Also, maybe ask your library - mine had the ability to email me information - but it was not mentioned at all on their website. There might even be an rss feed I can subscribe to.
posted by backwards guitar at 6:54 AM on October 15, 2009
Response by poster: box > Did a little poking around. For my county's library system, I can bookmark a page that shows me how many books I presently have out. Clicking a link on that page will show me which books they are and when they're due. (I tried bookmarking that page directly but it didn't work.)
So while it's not perfect (it's not one click, and I can only see when my books are due - I'd need to set up a second bookmark for my son's books), it's much better than Library Elf.
I'd still be interested in other possibilities, though, and I think other people here would be too.
posted by Lucinda at 7:03 AM on October 15, 2009
So while it's not perfect (it's not one click, and I can only see when my books are due - I'd need to set up a second bookmark for my son's books), it's much better than Library Elf.
I'd still be interested in other possibilities, though, and I think other people here would be too.
posted by Lucinda at 7:03 AM on October 15, 2009
In addition to letting one request and extend the due date on items checked out, my local library system now offers "My Reading History". Unfortunately, it only displays items I've checked out after the feature is activated, so it doesn't show me anything I've checked out prior.
You may want to check out your library's website to see if this feature is offered too, or ask them to put it in if possible.
posted by Seboshin at 9:38 AM on October 15, 2009
You may want to check out your library's website to see if this feature is offered too, or ask them to put it in if possible.
posted by Seboshin at 9:38 AM on October 15, 2009
Have you checked your libraries website? Here on LOng island (i am a network tech at a library) everbody can lohg in to their libraries website and geta list of all the books they have taken out. Even pay fines, place holds, reserve a book and signup for programs online.
posted by majortom1981 at 9:53 AM on October 15, 2009
posted by majortom1981 at 9:53 AM on October 15, 2009
Response by poster: When I tried creating the bookmark on my home computer (I'd tried it at work, previously), I get a message that reads "Sorry, an error prevented the LIBRAweb client from connecting to the state server. Please click here to try again."
So now I'm back to square one.
posted by Lucinda at 6:35 PM on October 15, 2009
So now I'm back to square one.
posted by Lucinda at 6:35 PM on October 15, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by box at 6:09 AM on October 15, 2009