What is the best way you have found to keep track of books you lend?

Question

Besides keeping a list, that is? Do you ask for a book back within a certain period of time? I still mourn over some books and audiobooks I have lent out to friends, who keep promising to get them back to me (one has had my favorite audiobook for 8 years and I honestly think she no longer has the item). I no longer loan books---but was wondering how you handle your book lending. Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't lend books out anymore, I learned the hard way that people don't let to return them.

Answer 2

I just recently read somewhere, if you lend someone a book, say Good-bye to it. I waited quite a while for a book backordered, "The Secret", and have been asked by quite a few people if They can borrow it when I'm done.....I had to say no, and let them know what I had just read. They took no offense, seeing when you think about it, it's probably happened to them, it really is true.
People need to check ou t their local library, or if you still want to lend out books, relearn the "dewey decimile system"!

Answer 3

I went to one of those online sites where you can order mailing labels. Instead of an address, I had my name, my email address, and a blank for the date I loaned the book printed. Presto! Stuck a label inside the book cover, so there's no doubt about who it belongs to ("from the Library of..."), with a reminder of exactly how long they've had it. I suppose if you wanted a return policy, you could put a reminder with THEIR email on your Yahoo Calendar, so you're reminded to get back in touch. I used to think that this seemed a bit overboard, but it works, and that's better than the frustration of "lost souls" from my bookshelf.

Answer 4

Well.. what I do is that I only lend books to someone who lends me something in exchange -- not necessarily a book, but something that they like, so that I am SURE to get my books back, because they will want their stuff back!

Of course, it doesn't always work, people don't always want to give me back my books.. so I end up with a large collection of stuff belonging to other people! But it makes me think of them to some extent, so it's not all bad!

Answer 5

I think its best to be upfront with people. Let them know you want the books back in X amount of time. If they're not cool with that, point them to the nearest library. As far as keeping track of what you lend...

Do you have MS Access? IF so, here's a great database template: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC010186431033.aspx?pid=CT102144001033 that can help you keep track.

Do you have Excel? IF so,
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC010162911033.aspx?pid=CT101172571033
is a book list. you can change "shelf location" to "borrower" and "notes" to their contact info.

OR, if you use MS Outlook, you can note the day you lend something, its title and the person you lent it to in your calendar, then schedule a reminder for follow up in 30 days (or however long you'd like).

hope that helps.

Answer 6

Good question.
I only lend out to my sister or to someone I would feel comfortable going into their house and looking for the lent out books. If they say..."I haven't had a chance to read it yet"...you say..."oh, no problem...when you have the time, then I'll bring it back. Someone else wants to read it..."

Answer 7

I agree with Jenny. I don't loan my first editions or my favorites. When I do loan a book, I do it with the expectation that I'll never see it again.

Answer 8

I have all of my science fiction and fantasy books in alphabetical order by author and within author by title. I own 5000 books. 40% of them are autographed.

Answer 9

tie a string around your finger, that way, when you look at it, you will remember what it was for