Goodreads vs LibraryThing

June 17, 2025 | Author: Maria Lin

Discover and share books you love on Goodreads, the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations

LibraryThing is a cataloging and social networking site for book lovers. LibraryThing helps you create a library-quality catalog of books: books you own, books you've read, books you'd like to read, books you've lent out ... whatever grouping you'd like. Available in many languages.

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Goodreads vs LibraryThing in our news:

2025. Talpa Search integrated with Aspen Discovery

LibraryThing's book-search service Talpa Search is now available in Aspen Discovery - open source discovery system that gives patrons seamless access to all library resources in one place. Aspen Discovery libraries can now enable Talpa Search as a search mode, allowing patrons to search for books using natural language, see results from Talpa Search seamlessly integrated into the look and feel of their library catalog. For example Talpa Search can find items by the description of plot details, genre, descriptions and more. It enables users to search for “novels about France during World War II” or “recent cozy mysteries” and receive relevant results, all within their existing library catalog, without special syntax or filtering.

2015. LibraryThing released iOS mobile app

Online service for book collection management LibraryThing has launched an official iPhone app. This initial version is limited to performing the basic tasks necessary for cataloging. You can browse and search your library, add books by scanning barcodes, search for books, browse and upload covers using the iPhone camera and make minor edits such as changing collections and ratings. LibraryThing is offering free lifetime memberships to anyone who uses the app within the next month. You need to create a new account using the LibraryThing app.

2015. LibraryThing unveiles an online tool for small libraries

LibraryThing, the online personal library organizer, has introduced TinyCat—a robust, user-friendly online catalog for smaller libraries (fewer than 20,000 titles). These smaller libraries—such as churches, synagogues, small schools, community centers and academic departments—have been utilizing LibraryThing to organize their collections for nearly a decade. This tradition continues with TinyCat. TinyCat provides a refreshed way to view the catalog, offering a cleaner interface focused on helping patrons find and explore books in your library. LibraryThing developers recently added numerous new features, many of which were crucial for making TinyCat possible (including Barcode Support, Circulation, Advanced Search and now the new MARC Import feature). TinyCat incorporates the best and most useful enhancements LibraryThing can provide—more than nearly any “big-library” catalog offers.

Author: Maria Lin

Maria Lin, is a seasoned content writer who has contributed to numerous tech portals, including Mashable and bookrunch, as a guest author. She holds a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of California, where her research predominantly concentrated on mobile apps, software, AI and cloud services. With a deep passion for reading, Maria is particularly drawn to the intersection of technology and books, making book tech a subject of great interest to her. During her leisure time, she indulges in her love for cooking and finds solace in a good night's sleep. You can contact Maria Lin via email maria@bookrunch.com