Okay, you may not be there yet, but if you're collecting books, you'll want to keep track of them (and yes, as ooky and grown up as it sounds, have a list for your insurance agent - 'cuz even at face value, those books can add up).
I actually started organizing my books in Excel... slowly typing in the book titles, isbn numbers, whether or not it was a first print/first edition, the condition, the cover price, etc... (yawn). THEN I discovered, for $30 I could download software from Collectorz.com (and for another $70 I could get the isbn scanner). I still have to type some things in, but it is SO MUCH EASIER, and far less time consuming.
If you have an iPhone/iPad/iPod - you can also transfer your collection information to that -- so when you're out and about, shopping for books (as you do), you can be sure not to buy duplicates.
(of course, I don't have an iPhone. So I just rely on my trusty little notebook and pen - but whatever).
The team at Collectorz.com also has software for Music collections, comic books, etc.
Hop over to their Web site and give it a try - they have a free trial version just for you.Labels: book collecting, Collectorz.com, database