For years, I have moved my books from place to place, and have never had a way of cataloging them in any organized way. Thankfully, I discovered how easy it can be!
Earlier this week, I was reading in my office and the thought came to my mind that I needed to get a handle on my book collection. I have some books on GoodReads.com, specifically things that I am currently reading, or have read. I quickly saw that GoodReads has no option for “reference” or really any option for organization. So, with a quick google search of “Home Library Organization”, several blog posts appeared in the search results. One listed LIBIB as the top, so I took a look at it.
LIBIB does everything I want it to do and more. Most importantly, I soon discovered that the key feature, for me, is the bar coding. I can scan most modern books and the book will easily appear in my library. For my books that are older and even antique, I can simply add them into the system manually. There is also an option with the Pro Version to incorporate the Dewey Decimal System and to print out bar codes that can be placed in those books. This ease of organization is making a big difference in my life, as I am currently taking stock in many different areas of my life. The process of inventorying alone is enough to allow me a moment to question whether or not each book is worth carrying to the next duty station. It also gives me a tool to browse the covers and subject to see something when I need extra assistance with a sermon, counseling question, or preparing for other remarks.
My use of LIBIB is coupled with an old book titled “The Pastor and His Library” by Elgin S. Moyer, written in 1953. Moyer’s book captures the critical connection between having a good organized library and ministry. Those truths and even techniques are still valid even in our technical age.
As I upload my library, you can view my library here: Chaplain Andrews’ Library