Thanks! I hadn’t heard of open library before but it seems pretty cool - what’s an open library list? Are you also able to track books you’re interested in there?

A list is just what it sounds like, a set of works or editions. But OL also has the concept of "reading log" which is specific lists that are read/reading/want to read that are preset for people.

You can learn more about lists in general here https://openlibrary.org/lists

This is a list I created recently titled "Understanding the Latin American City" https://openlibrary.org/people/raybb/lists/OL235745L/Underst...

If you want to access the api for lists the docs are at https://openlibrary.org/dev/docs/api/lists but it's also as easy as tacking .json to the end of a url like so:

https://openlibrary.org/people/crowmax22/lists/OL226172L/edi...

awesome! Thanks for the info, I'll look into this

Thanks so much for the feedback! Those are good ideas.

And thanks for sharing the link where it failed to load books! I’m going to try and figure out what’s going on with that so the link is helpful

The API I'm using searches all libraries that use Libby/overdrive (https://www.overdrive.com/) to distribute eBooks. So if your library isn't on there then they probably don't use Libby and the way to get them on this site would be to have your library start using it. Lmk if they are on Libby and not showing up bc that would be an issue and I can fix it :)

Another option is to get a library card at a library that does use Libby -- there are some that offer cards to non-residents solely so you can check out library books but idk exactly which ones

Mind if I ask what API you're using? Is it from Overdrive's API or a third-party? Have an idea I want to explore if there's a decent API.

Yeah me too, I've scraped libby pretty easily but didn't know there was an API.

A niche thing which can affect stuff is some libraries only show their full catalog if you're logged in (and potentially which partner library you're a part of, if the library offers multiple). I don't remember if I just read this in their documentation or when scraping, found at least a few difference so logged in first

What are some ways to find libraries that issue cards to non-residents?

unfortunately the API I'm currently using only searches audiobooks/ebooks. I'll definitely consider doing this in the future though! It's just not trivial

Google search does it somehow. Any idea how?

Nope lol. Can you give me an example of a search that shows physical book availability? I’d definitely be interested in figuring out how they do it bc it seems like people are interested in this!

when you search a book title it'll usually show it on the main search

https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-library-book-avai...

it's everything after show/ in the link to your profile!

e.g. the link to my profile is https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/121455547-bella-vice-van... and my id is 121455547-bella-vice-van-heyde

you can also post a link to your profile or to your want to read shelf and the site will parse the id from that!

The profile ID is actually just the number, 12145554.

You can verify this yourself by going to https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/121455547 or https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/121455547-hello-world.

Hrm, I’m trying https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9499790-brian

And keep getting an “error, failed to load books” message. Am I adding my profile incorrectly, or is something else going on.

When I try with your id, it works.

Great idea, btw, I can’t wait to try it

does this link work for you?

https://projecttbr.com/?goodreadsProfile=9499790-brian&libra...

I assume you'll have to change the library -- I'll try to repro and fix that issue! That shouldn't happen

and thanks!!

That works, but when I try my library, I get the same error “ Failed to load books. Please try again or contact support@projecttbr.com if the issue persists.”

https://projecttbr.com/?goodreadsProfile=9499790-brian&libra...