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1. Decide how you want to find a book
Think about how you look for a book at home. If you remember its author, alphabetical order can help. If you choose by subject, use broad categories. If your collection is spread out, start by identifying rooms and bookcases.
Avoid changing several organizing rules at once. A category such as “Fiction” can sit alongside a location such as “Living room, left bookcase”. They solve different problems. “To read” describes your reading plans, not the physical location of a book.
2. Record the details you will actually use
Title and author are a good start. Add the edition when you own different versions, and a location if you want to find physical copies. An ISBN makes searching easier, but it does not need to be a requirement for older books.
| Detail | Example | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Title and author | The novel you are looking for | Identify the book. |
| Edition or ISBN | The one on your copy | Distinguish translations and formats. |
| Location | Living room, left bookcase | Find the physical copy. |
| Reading status | Pending | Choose what to read next. |
| Loan | Lent to a friend | Remember why it is not on the shelf. |
This is an example of an organizing system, not a list of mandatory fields.
3. Choose a notebook, spreadsheet or app
A notebook can work well for a small collection, especially if you enjoy paper. A spreadsheet makes sorting and filtering easier, though you still need to enter and maintain the details. An app can reduce that work with bibliographic search and barcode scanning.
Niblio lets you add books by ISBN, title, author or manual entry, create shelves and record loans. Your library stays on your device, with all features free for up to 100 books. Choose the method you find easiest to keep up to date.
4. Finish one shelf before moving on
Working by area leaves you with something useful even if you stop partway through. You do not need to finish the whole house before you can start using your catalog.
- Pick a shelf and give it a recognizable name.
- Add its books, checking each scan or search result.
- Enter books you cannot find manually.
- Check that your catalog matches that shelf.
- Continue with another area when you have time.
5. Update the catalog when your collection changes
Record purchases when you put them on the shelf. Add a loan when you hand over a copy, and update it when the book comes back. If you move books to another room, update their location. An outdated catalog stops answering the question of where your books are.
With a local library, backups are part of maintenance too. Niblio lets you export and import your collection. Save a copy outside your phone and make sure you can find it before changing devices.
