+44 (0) 1273 386849Why Every Book Lover Should Start a Home Library Catalogue (and How To Make It Easy)
If you’re the kind of person who lights up at the sight of a second-hand bookshop, chances are you’ve got a growing home library. Maybe it’s a well-organised room of classics or academic tomes. Maybe it’s a chaotic, beloved pile of cookbooks, paperbacks, or vintage finds. Either way, they are yours. But how do you keep track of them?
People assume cataloguing software is just for public libraries or schools. However, a simple, affordable system for organising your home library can help any reader bring clarity to their collection. Whether you’re a casual reader, a hobbyist, or a serious collector, creating your own catalogue is easier and more rewarding than you might think.
What is a home library catalogue and do you really need one?
A personal library catalogue is simply a way to keep track of what you own. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It could be a spreadsheet, a free app, or a paid-for cloud-based system like Simple Little Library System (SLLS).
It helps you:
- See what’s in your collection and where it’s located
- Avoid duplicate purchases
- Remember what you’ve lent out to friends and family
- Search for titles by author, subject or keyword
- Organise by whatever categories matter to you
And no, you don’t have to be a librarian or library specialist to create one.
For the love of books: Why personal collections matter
Building a book collection is deeply satisfying. Everyone has their reason for collecting books; you might be homeschooling, collecting first editions, pursuing a specialist interest, or just someone who can’t leave a bookshop empty-handed.
Certainly, there’s something special about being able to refer to your library for inspiration, comfort or education.
You probably feel like you know your collection well. Indeed, unlike a public library, you don’t have strangers rifling through your books. Why would you bother with a library catalogue? Just like our bookcases, everything can get messy. No matter how good your memory, even the most devoted book lover can forget what’s hiding behind that second row on the bottom shelf.
Keeping track of your home book collection
Let me give you a real-life example from the team at SLLS.
As Marc notes on our About Us page, he’s known for blogging about dinosaurs – particularly dinosaur artwork in old books. Over the past decade, he’s built up a quirky, personally meaningful collection of prehistory-themed titles, mostly found through eBay and second-hand shops.
Like many of us, Marc’s collection grew in a piecemeal way. He might review a book one month, then not look at it again for years. He says:
“Of course, I can always find my favourites. But when I’m searching for something more obscure – especially a lesser-known illustrator – I sometimes draw a blank. Occasionally I can’t even remember if I bought the book, was given it, or just borrowed it! If only I had a handy, searchable catalogue of my collection and could browse related titles… ”
With a searchable catalogue, he can easily find what he needs or confirm what’s in his collection.
We all have our own bookish obsessions, but I suspect you’ve had a similar moment of doubt. The good news? A home library catalogue removes that uncertainty – so you can spend less time hunting, and more time enjoying your books.
Home library catalogue tools that make everything simple
I appreciate that you’re a book lover, not a chartered librarian! You don’t need to be an information professional or particularly tech-savvy to build your catalogue. In fact, library management tools like SLLS make the process remarkably straightforward.
SLLS lets you search your collection by author, title, publisher, or date. You can customise fields, add custom tags, and categorise items however you like. You can even note the physical location of each book, which is handy if your collection spans rooms, boxes, or shared spaces.
As it’s browser-based, you can check your catalogue from your phone, even if you’re out browsing for more treasures and can’t remember whether you already own that item.
AutoCat: Saving you time with smarter cataloguing
“Where do I start? I have hundreds of books to add!”
One of the most helpful features in Simple Little Library System is AutoCat, an automated cataloguing tool that takes much of the manual work out of the book adding process. Instead of typing out the details of every book by hand, AutoCat searches trusted databases like Google Books and Library Hub.
It pulls in key details like the title, author, publisher, and publication date – plus extras like summaries, abstracts, and even cover images. That means your catalogue isn’t just faster to build, it’s also more detailed and visually appealing.
Whether you’re managing your collection solo or getting help from a personal assistant, partner or child, AutoCat makes it easy to catalogue quickly and confidently so you can spend more time enjoying your books, and less time adding them to the database. We’re focusing on books here, but SLLS can be used for so much more – that’s a post for another day.
Personal library cataloguing tools that work for real people
You don’t have to catalogue your entire home library in one go. Begin small, with one shelf, one box, or just your favourites. The important thing is to begin with a system that feels right for you.
As Marc from the SLLS team puts it:
“Your catalogue doesn’t have to be perfect – mine certainly isn’t. It’s a permanent work-in-progress. But even a half-complete system can help you stay organised and avoid duplicates.”
There are a few library apps for home use. But if you’re after something more flexible, it’s worth considering a tool like SLLS. It’s powerful enough for serious collectors, but intuitive enough for anyone with a passion for books. Whether you’re organising novels, academic research, non-fiction, music, zines, or something more unusual, your catalogue should work the way you do.
In the end, a home library catalogue isn’t about perfection or formality. It’s about making your collection more usable, more shareable – and more you. Watch out for more posts in this home library series.
Marc Vincent works in technical support at Bailey Solutions, and has his own online catalogue that you’re more than welcome to browse.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Do I really need a catalogue if I don’t lend books to other people?
Yes! A personal catalogue isn’t just for lending, it helps you avoid buying duplicates, track what you’ve read, and rediscover forgotten gems in your collection.
Isn’t cataloguing time-consuming for non-experts?
It doesn’t have to be. Start small with one shelf or your favourites, and use SLLS tools like AutoCat to speed up the process. A little goes a long way. It is a good opportunity to do a little housekeeping too.
What’s the difference between a spreadsheet and library software?
A spreadsheet is a good start, but library software like SLLS offers advanced features, like searching, cover images, and reporting, without needing specialist training or complicated updates.
Can I catalogue more than just books?
Absolutely. While this post focuses on books, SLLS can be used for journals, magazines, DVDs, vinyl, games, online material or any other type of personal collection. It’s very adaptable.
Do I need internet access to use SLLS?
Yes, SLLS is browser-based, so you’ll need an internet connection to access and update your catalogue. The upside? You can use it anywhere – from your desktop, tablet or your phone.
Is SLLS suitable for very small collections?
Definitely. Whether you have 30 books or 3,000, SLLS helps you stay organised and enjoy your collection. It’s designed to be flexible for collectors of all sizes.