Libellus Personal Library

This is the older version of this program, which I am no longer updating.  I plan on doing a complete rewrite sometime in the future.

Download Libellus 1.2.1

Features (As of 1.2)

  • Enter an ISBN and have all available information on that book automatically entered into your library, including but not limited to:
    • Dewey decimal, Normalized Dewey decimal, Library of Congress Number, Subject Information, Authors, Editors, Page Numbers, Size, Weight, and Summary.
  • Keep up with a wish list, which can also be added to via ISBN
  • Loan out books to people and Check them in
  • Easily search your collection or sort using various attributes.
  • Add books in a “batch” mode that allows you to add several books at a time by typing their ISBNs.
  • Keep a separate library for different people
  • Backup and Import your libraries
  • View / Print your library
  • View / Print your wish list
  • View / Print your loaned out books
  • View / Print the loan history of a book
  • Sort, resize, and rearrange columns of any printable list
  • View / Print details on an individual book
  • Edit your entries
  • Lookup avg used/new price per book.

Requirements

  • You must have the .NET Framework installed to use this application. If you do not have it, you will be prompted to download it when you install.

41 Responses

  1. Tom Armstrong, on September 15th, 2008 at 3:24 am Said:

    I downloaded Libellus, which seems like a very handy program to organize my books. I loaded NET framework 2.0 and then loaded LIbellus, and started entering some ISBN’s, but got no return on them. I went through the menus and didn’t see any configuration set up or anything. My browser is firefox, and I also started IE to see whether that would help. Not sure how I am supposed to get the ISBN data into the catalogue. I am probably omitting something stupid, and would appreciate any tips you might have. In any case, thank you for making it available! Best, Tom

  2. abmason, on September 15th, 2008 at 5:58 am Said:

    If you have a connection to the internet, then you have everything you need. The data in the application comes from isbndb.com, so try it in your web browser to see if maybe its blocked or if its temporarily down (unfortunately this happens). If you’re still having problems, let me know.

  3. Tom Armstrong, on September 15th, 2008 at 11:37 pm Said:

    Thanks for the reply. I did try isbndb.com in my browser, and it came up right away. I tried a search on it and the ISBN I entered came right up, too. I checked my content and security settings on Firefox, and they are fine. I also checked my firewall, and placed Libellus in the allowed applications. Still no go. Any ideas?

  4. Paul Hossack, on September 16th, 2008 at 5:30 pm Said:

    I really like the programme and it was working well when all of a sudden it stopped adding the isbns inputted, when i do multiple add it says they already exisit but they are not in my library. Untill this I was really impressed with the programme.

    thanks

    Paul

  5. Tom Armstrong, on September 17th, 2008 at 6:26 pm Said:

    Having seen Paul’s note, I can add that I got the same thing with the program telling me that entries already exist (when they don’t). Don’t know whether this helps, but thought I would mention it. (Possibly this is part of why the program will be re-written in the future? I wish I were a developer and could help; this is a very worthwhile program, but here’s a suggestion when work resumes on Libellus: make it possible to access different isbn sources, for example, Lbrary of Congress or other on-line catalogues.) Thanks again, Tom

  6. abmason, on September 18th, 2008 at 3:08 am Said:

    I really didn’t honestly think people were still downloading my program nowadays :P

    Yes, I do realize in hind-sight I had some design flaws which causes some strange bugs on occasion, which is why I really need a complete rewrite of the application.

    In response to Paul, if you’re willing to do a backup of your database and send that file to me, I can debug it and try and figure out why the problem is occurring. Strangely I was never able to reproduce the problem with my own copies.

    In response to Tom, using other data sources isn’t that simple. Reading directly off of a web page(like Lib of Congress or Amazon) is difficult since the format of a page can change over time, and break the program. I use ISBNDB.com because it uses a web service, which is a way to retrieve data independently of how the site itself looks or operates.

    If I began immediately rewriting Libellus, do you think you guys would be willing to be alpha testers and provide input along the way? It would probably take me a week to get an initial working prototype. For starters, I probably need a new name since some other guy is also using Libellus as a name for his app, and I really don’t feel like going through the hastle of pointing out I was using it first…

  7. Tom Armstrong, on September 18th, 2008 at 7:47 am Said:

    Thanks for the answer regarding other isbn data sources. It does sound like a pain.

    I would be happy to help in any way I can, and I appreciate the work you do on this in any case, so I am only too happy to pitch in. Alpha testing is a way I can definitely pitch in.

  8. Harry Doxsee, on September 25th, 2008 at 7:08 pm Said:

    We have just started using your program and think it is great. We have had a few glitches, like the isbndb.com being down. I would be happy to help out in alpha testing.

  9. zeng, on October 2nd, 2008 at 5:11 pm Said:

    Thanks for a great program. Is there a way to export library to a text file or CSV file?

  10. Rebecca Woodliff, on October 2nd, 2008 at 8:08 pm Said:

    I was able to edit the subject of some entries where no subject was listed, but was unable to edit entries where a subject was listed from the database. Ex. Brady’s CIvil War comes up with the subject listed as “Arts & Photography.” I would like to add Civil War to the subject because I want so sort my lists by subject. I go into “Edit” mode and type in Civil War on a separate line as instructed but when I bring view back up it still says “Arts & Photography.”

  11. Joe, on October 13th, 2008 at 10:36 pm Said:

    It’s odd but the “Loan” show weird dates and I cannot decipher what they are or whether there are settings for the date. Forgive me if I should know this answer but…. is this open source? What language is it written in? I am a VB.NET/ASP.NET developer and would like to take a shot at some work on it.

  12. Dave Carr, on October 15th, 2008 at 2:11 am Said:

    This program ROCKS!!!!
    I have been looking for something like this for years.
    I had a little trouble getting started but did figure it out.
    Click on Library at top and choose Add a book this clears the form and allows an ISBN lookup
    Also uncheck auto save if it is checked
    Once you have a hit on ISBN as successful you can add any info you want or need Like on the back of a book I type in this for the summary. Also what you paid for the book if bought used. I replace the Avg New price with what the book sold for New if it is listed on the back of the book etc etc blah blah then manually save at bottom . After saving go to View and view Library. Next Click on Library and choose Add a book and repeat above.

    Hope this helps Dave

  13. Paul Burnier, on October 17th, 2008 at 6:51 am Said:

    I also downloaded the program and it is working wonderfully.
    I would also be willing to be an alpha tester if you wish.

    Regards,

    Paul

  14. abmason, on October 17th, 2008 at 1:25 pm Said:

    Hey guys, sorry for the long silence. I just check my blog rarely at work lately, because all my machines at home have been down. Saving up for a new desktop that I’ll be building in the next couple of weeks, so I can get back into free-time development ^_^

    When I can finally get the time to get around to rewriting it from scratch, I’ll be sure to add a CSV / Excel option to it, theoretically, its really not that hard at all, I just need to force myself to take to the time to do it, and I have a lot of little projects I want to do.

    In response to an earlier comment, yes its open source, and its written in C# 2.0, originally using SharpDevelop, more recently using Visual Studio 2005. My coding skills have gotten a lot better since I wrote this app, so the next one should be a lot more bug free. Thanks for all the input. It’ll probably be another two weeks, but I will get around to starting on a new version.

  15. Jeffrey, on October 27th, 2008 at 4:06 pm Said:

    I really am looking forward to having the ability to Export to CVS so I can bring it in to OpenOffice or Excel and make detailed reports. Thanks for all your hard work.

  16. abmason, on October 27th, 2008 at 4:15 pm Said:

    Let me ask you guys something. When I start this app over from scratch, what do you think about this being a Ajax driven web site instead of a local windows app? It would have to naturally be ad supported, otherwise I’d have to eat all the hosting costs myself.

  17. Jeffrey, on October 27th, 2008 at 4:25 pm Said:

    I’m not sure what Ajax is. I’d be willing to DONATE to the production.

  18. abmason, on October 27th, 2008 at 4:39 pm Said:

    Ignoring Ajax, having it as a web application would allow me to make changes, and everybody gets those changes instantly, although you have the disadvantage, like any other web site, of not being able to use it without a internet connection, and there is also the issues of how to cover hosting. Good hosting is usually $20 a month or so, plus about $30 a year for a domain name (.com). The alternative of course is just to make another windows application from scratch, just add a few features at a time as people alpha test it.

  19. abmason, on October 27th, 2008 at 4:40 pm Said:

    Also, I should note that I am HORRIBLE at making graphical designs for web sites, so I’d probably have to enlist the help of somebody to help me make a clean looking design (color schemes, logos, etc) for a web site. Windows apps don’t require as much creativity in the GUI department.

  20. Jeffrey, on October 27th, 2008 at 5:26 pm Said:

    Domain Name – $10 a year at GoDaddy.Com

    I am sure that you could also find hosting much cheaper, or perhaps even donated.

    I’d be glad to help with the project if I can.

  21. abmason, on October 27th, 2008 at 5:38 pm Said:

    I haven’t decided definitively whether or not I’m going to go with a web app or another win app yet. For a web app 1) I need to find reliable ASP.Net 3.5 hosting, since thats my preferred technology. 2) I need to find somebody will to aid in the graphical design, logos, etc 3) I need to find a new name for the app besides Libellus, since I really don’t feel like arguing with the other guy using Libellus over who had the name first.

  22. bruce whitehead, on October 29th, 2008 at 3:03 am Said:

    There is apparently an undocumented limit of 100 books in each library, which triggers the “already exist” notice (bug), instead of saying, for example, “library limit is 100 books”. Also, the person who only installed .Net Framework 2.0 probably needs to also install .Net Framework 1.1, which is NOT included in .Net Framework 2.0 or 3.0 (and 2.0 is not included in 3.0 either) I hope the 100 book limit is raised in any new version, since I have that many books on computer programming alone, not counting even more on other subjects related to computers and many more on unrelated subjects, which I would love to have all in one library, and would be glad to be an alpha tester for it.

  23. Chris, on October 31st, 2008 at 1:04 pm Said:

    I vote for win app (provided it retains compatibility with all versions).

    The program is great; it just needs a few bugs ironed out.

  24. abmason, on November 3rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm Said:

    I’ve started tinkering around with the design for a win app. I haven’t come across anybody interesting in doing visual design for a web app, so I’ll just go with a winapp probably. I’ve got a lot going on right now, so not sure how quickly it develops, but I”ll let you know when I have have enough to get feedback on.

  25. Stephanie, on November 15th, 2008 at 4:40 pm Said:

    I have used or attempted to use several different cataloging programs for my book collection. All of them left me with wanting more… why couldn’t this program do this or that… it has been quite frustrating. We have lately been fortunate enough to turn a room in our house into a Library and with having to move all of the books from one place to another it seemed to be the perfect time to try yet another program.

    I have to admit as the program was downloading I almost stopped it because in my heart I knew it was going to be just another program that wouldn’t or couldn’t do what I wanted and needed it to do.

    I have been most amazingly and happily surprised. There have been very few ISBNs that the program was not able to locate (I just want to add that Amazon cannot locate them either so I know it isn’t abu in this program). The ease of adding books just by their ISBNs is a HUGE time saver.

    Being able to then sort the books by title, author, isbn… a simple as it is can make a big difference.

    The only real flaw that I found was for some reason after about uploading about 350 books, the system would tell me that the ISBNs that I had just entered were already in the data base. I couldn’t seem to get this to stop so out of frustration I shut everything down. This morning I decided to try again and for whatever reason it seems to be working as it should so I am going to guess that it was more of a PICNIC (Problem In Chair Not In Computer) issue not a programing one.

    I would appreciate any notice that you can provide me when a newer version is avaiable even if it is still in Beta form. Unfortunately at this time I am unable to contribute financially but if there is anything that I can do to assist you in the future, please do not hessitate to contact me.

    Thank you for a wonderful freeware program.

  26. Linda, on November 19th, 2008 at 12:54 am Said:

    Really love your program. I have been trying out all the others and yours is the best I have come across. I admit that there are a few bugs (“refers to just-in-time (JIT) debugging etc… “) select continue or quit. But the biggest problem I have is that I cannot export the files to excel or any other program in order to use them as others have mentioned. I would be glad to be a beta tester, and would be glad to make a donation, if you have anything ready at this point that has been upgraded and can be used with excel or something that can be exported to it or can show me how to convert these files in a way that I can access them. I would love to have access to it. Your program otherwise is the closest to what I need. Do you have a paypal account? Email me a price for a workaround. I can’t afford much, but I would be glad to make a donation and glad to test and give you feedback. I do have some experience with computers, but not in visual design for web applications, but would be willing to help you out. in any way I can. Thanks, can’t wait to hear when you’ve got something ready. Linda

  27. mmilner, on November 24th, 2008 at 6:25 am Said:

    an ajax driven website using isbndb.com or worldcat.org’s oclc numbers would be very useful. as an academic i’ve been working on a webapp for note taking, reading list collation, and teaching for a number of years now. it’s pretty simple at this point, but if there’s some interest in going in this direction i’d be on board for designing the UI if some other people can deal with the ajax and the xml stuff.

  28. Bob, on November 29th, 2008 at 4:11 pm Said:

    Hi. I just discovered this program and it seems like exactly what I have been looking for a long time. However, I am having an issue where my edits to the (notes and price) database entries are not being saved. Based on the other issues mentioned here I will probably wait for the new version before entering a lot of my collection which totals probably 300+ books along with a wish list of a couple hundred more. I would be willing to help with testing of a new version. The ability to export to Excel would be awesome as I could load my files onto my smartphone to make shopping easier. Thanks!

  29. lifeasamama, on November 30th, 2008 at 1:20 am Said:

    I’m another person who would be interested in being a tester… and may be able to donate a little to help out with hosting costs.

  30. Vickie, on December 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 pm Said:

    This is great, and would be great for a little church library. You can copy and paste it to anything by just control v for copy and control c for paste.

  31. Jay, on December 31st, 2008 at 6:09 pm Said:

    I would be a willing alpha test site if you still need some. I, too, believe your program is a very worthwhile endeavor. As the director of a nonprofit, freeware like this is a huge help to us. Thanks.

  32. DuckPuppy, on January 8th, 2009 at 3:43 am Said:

    I just downloaded this after running across it and reading the comments here…

    I can’t get it started, since it crashes on launch. I was able to create a new library on the first launch, then it crashed.

    It seems to be crashing because the SQLite assembly is missing. Apparently, it’s not in the install package. I’m going to try to download it I can figure out which .NET SQLite you used.

  33. abmason, on January 8th, 2009 at 4:44 am Said:

    The SqlLite dll is indeed in the install package, unless something went awry in the installation. Are you running x64 system? I’ve heard of some people having issues with SQLite not running on 64 bit systems.

  34. Joanne, on January 11th, 2009 at 8:09 pm Said:

    Have spent about 10 hours in the last 2 days looking to replace my old program that just decided to quit on me. After downloading 7 new programs to investigate, it looks like this is the one that works like my other. Now I just gotta find out how to move my library collection over to this one.
    I hope I don’t encounter any bugs that I have been reading about in the future. Wow, I really thought I was going to be out of luck. Thank you for your time and talent you put in this program. Greatly appreciated!!

  35. Almager, on January 13th, 2009 at 10:01 pm Said:

    You mentioned is open source.
    I googled it but can’t find it.
    Where can i download the source ?

  36. abmason, on January 13th, 2009 at 11:01 pm Said:

    Sorry, didn’t realize I didn’t have the source link up.

    http://code.google.com/p/libelluspersonallibrary/source/checkout

  37. Jack, on January 19th, 2009 at 9:57 am Said:

    Hi,
    Nice application. A few comments:
    a) instead of using ISBN, should we not be shifting to ISBN13 as that is the new standard?
    b) Instead of entering the ISBN’s one by one, how about importing the ISBN’s in bulk from a text file?

    Regards,
    Jack Schnider

  38. abmason, on January 19th, 2009 at 2:30 pm Said:

    In response to a) I designed the app around the fact the only free web service that offers access to ISBN data uses ISBN-10, so that issue is up to isbndb.com.

    In response to b) when I get time to rework the application, I would prefer to allow importing via CSV. With my current work schedule, I still have no idea how long its going to take to rework the app right now.

  39. Jack, on January 20th, 2009 at 6:10 am Said:

    Hi,
    Regarding a) isbndb does provide isbn10 as well as isbn13 so that should be no issue. You can just verify for yourself by looking into the XML:

    −

    −

    World War I

    −

    written by Simon Adams; photographed by Andy Crawford

    New York : DK Pub., 2004.

    here ->

    shows both the isbn10 as well as isbn13.

    Regards,
    Jack

  40. Jack, on January 20th, 2009 at 6:14 am Said:

    oops.. seems that my xml got missed out. Sample again:
    &ltISBNdb server_time=”2009-01-20T06:08:15Z”&gt
    &ltBookList total_results=”1″ page_size=”10″ page_number=”1″ shown_results=”1″&gt
    &ltBookData book_id=”world_war_i_a62″ isbn=”0756607418″ isbn13=”9780756607418″&gt
    &ltTitle&gtWorld War I&lt/Title&gt
    &ltTitleLong/&gt
    &ltAuthorsText&gt
    written by Simon Adams; photographed by Andy Crawford
    &lt/AuthorsText&gt
    &ltPublisherText publisher_id=”dk_pub”&gtNew York : DK Pub., 2004.&lt/PublisherText&gt
    &ltDetails change_time=”2008-11-04T21:35:22Z” price_time=”2008-10-22T19:18:46Z” edition_info=”(lib. bndg.)” language=”eng” physical_description_text=”72 p. : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 29 cm.” lcc_number=”" dewey_decimal_normalized=”940.3″ dewey_decimal=”940.3″/&gt
    &lt/BookData&gt
    &lt/BookList&gt
    &lt/ISBNdb&gt

  41. Almager, on January 20th, 2009 at 4:32 pm Said:

    As a matter of fact both fields Isbn-10 and Isbn-13 must be in the data base.

    Regarding importing isbn number from a file, it can be easy to do, but it may allow to send to many isbns at a time and isbndb has a limit of daily queries, so maybe the program is better as it is.

    I found some issues with the application, like the fact that is the book title that is used as a key, that means that if you have two (or more) books with the same title you can only register one, I would preferred Isbn as the key, but then if you type your information manually maybe you won’t have or want the isbn of the book, so a compromise should be worked, I would suggest to use isbn as the key unless it is blank, in this case use book title as key.

    Other issue is with books with several authors, the program is addressing only one author when retrieving data from isbn.

    I downloaded the code to review it – and maybe make some changes but I don’t have much time available (thats why I’m using it instead of building one myself).

    Anyway the program is very useful as it is, even is there is room for improvement.

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