# Cataloging My Personal Library: There Has GOT to be a Better Way!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataloging-my-personal-library-there-has-got-to-be-a-better-way/167454>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [April 9, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataloging-my-personal-library-there-has-got-to-be-a-better-way/167454 "2003-04-09T01:09:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![markdiscordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@markdiscordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdiscordia)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataloging-my-personal-library-there-has-got-to-be-a-better-way/167454/21 "2003-04-11T02:37:57Z")

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I had a similar problem cataloging my video games (and will have it again if I decide to catalog my own books.) I solved it by hauling an old mini tape recorder out of a drawer and reading the relevant information on each game out loud. Then, I brought the tape to the computer and transcribed it. It’s a lot quicker than writing, and a lot easier to do when standing on a chair peering over a Colecovision to get the model number, or, presumably, bending down to read the title of a book on the low shelf.

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**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataloging-my-personal-library-there-has-got-to-be-a-better-way/167454/22 "2003-04-11T03:32:13Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by markdiscordia \*  
> \*\*I had a similar problem cataloging my video games (and will have it again if I decide to catalog my own books.) I solved it by hauling an old mini tape recorder out of a drawer and reading the relevant information on each game out loud. Then, I brought the tape to the computer and transcribed it. It’s a lot quicker than writing, and a lot easier to do when standing on a chair peering over a Colecovision to get the model number, or, presumably, bending down to read the title of a book on the low shelf. \*\*

That’s a great idea! Since I already have the equipment, no expense on my part. :smack: Why didn’t I think of that?

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**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataloging-my-personal-library-there-has-got-to-be-a-better-way/167454/23 "2003-04-11T11:54:37Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Lissa \*  
> \*\*I own an immense amount of books, and I have to catalog my library for insurance purposes. \*\*

This doesn’t address your problem, but I thought I’d let people know about [**BookCAT**](http://www.fnprg.com/index.html) (I don’t work for them!). It might be useful to, if not you, then other people. I’ve been using their CATraxx program to keep a record of my 1500+ CD collection and I’m very happy with it. I just bought a bundle consisting of BookCAT and CATvids (I have thousands of videos and DVDs) but I haven’t started working with them yet.

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