An MN library style thing idea here, shoot me down in flames if not suitable!

On the mumsnet crafters group they have a folder for each genre of card. Not sure if this would work for databases though, just a thought.

Right, I've amended the database a bit to include genre. Don't think you can sort or search things (unless anyone who knows Yahoo groups knows better) but at least you can spot the type of book you want at a glance.

If by some miracle this really takes off and we get loads of books listed, then we can look at splitting the table down into sub-tables for each genre maybe.

Sorry, I have mush brain, I spent ages trying to think of the word 'genre' and had to use category instead, only to remember the word as I pressed post.

That looks good to me. It would be nice if the books could be sorted on category (eg romance/sci-fi/thriller etc) just in case there are lots of books registered it would save looking through lots of romance when you really want a murder mystery.

Bran - have accepted you to group so you should have full access now.

Munchkinola - Add to the database as soon as you want to. I guess it will only get off the ground if enough people show an interest and the list of books grow. Have changed 'Current Location' to 'Current Location/On Loan To' so whereabouts of book would be known.

Miaou - hellloooo to you too you can't access. Hope you like what you see when you can get there.

Any more ideas/suggestions as to how database can be improved folks?

Aw, I wanna see now ... but dh is away and I daren't tamper with the settings, I value my life too much!!

SG, just realised "who" you are, helllooooo......

That looks great to me well done SG

Will there be a place on the data base to say whether the book is currently out on loan? This might save an email.

Let me know when this is a go-go and I'll will add to the collection.

I'm not sure exactly how it works, I've signed up but I think I have to wait to be accepted into the group, is that right?

I can't access SG's yahoo setup atm - anyone else want to have a look and give their opinions?

Sent you an email Piffle but only have a yahoo address for you. don't know if it is the right one.

In the meantime anyone who wants a look see at the basic site I have set up it is here You can click on 'sign in to Yahoo' and sign on for now as mumslibrary, password mumsnet

Let me know what you think and if you want to go with it.

Or tell me to bog off back to my hole and stop taking over - whichever

Oh - that might be a pain then I have your yahoo address from msn, shall I send invite there or do you have another email address you prefer to use?

Hiya piffle - what do you think to the Yahoo group idea. I have set one up to see how it would work. Do you want a look see?

I've set one up, thats what I was playing with this morning.

Piffle - where are you? Come back and talk to us please

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Hello Miaou

Have looked at Yahoo Groups - easy peasy and looks ideal for the library. I have been playing around with it this morning, seeing what is possible.

Just need Piffle to return and slap our wrists for us before I go any further with it

Me too SG

Seriously though piffle, please say if you feel I/we are taking over. i hate treading on people's toes.

piffle - please yell at Miaou and me if we have morphed into Mumsnet librarians and taken over your idea

I just can't resist the idea of getting involved in some admin again (sad person that I am) and books at the same time. It's like all my birthdays have come at once!

Do you have any other microsoft products besides Excel? A lot of people have the Office Package, which includes Access. I suggested it because it is a database program, so ideal for the job. Set up with the right data fields and people could search for books by content if they didn't know the name or author for example.

I am just having a quick refresher look at it myself, haven't been around it for quite awhile (I once had a life, before kids - those were the days ). It is pretty straightforward.

The initial input of all the info into the database might take a while, but like I said I'm happy to help.

Hi SG - not used access before, the only reason I suggested excel was because I was familiar with it! Sounds good though - is it a basic tool that most people would have? My Dh is paranoid about downloading stuff and I imagine he is not alone, so a basic, available to most/all tool was what I was thinking of.

Re the library knowledge - fantastic!

Giraffeski - I haven't got broadband, and I don't think it would become too unwieldy - a huge text document takes up far less memory than a photo, for example. Maybe someone with more technical expertise might have an opinion on that one. Not sure about the yahoo bit, no experience of it - anyone else?

Please can I join in?

Have followed this with interest and debated if I should feed my reading habit any further - but hey, there are worse addictions

Re excel database - wouldn't Access be better? There is already a template for a library type set up.

Willing to throw my hand in if any admin assistance needed.

PS - have run mini libraries in the past if that is any help

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