Adding BookCrossing Zones to LibraryThing Local

Blog post: http://www.librarything.com/blogs/librarything/2013/11/littlelibraries/

So far, we've been focusing on Little Free Libraries. Let's pull together what we know about adding BookCrossing Zones.

See also:
* Beta-group discussion: http://www.librarything.com/topic/160991

A second Wiki has recently been started by BookCrossing members after the first one hosted by WikiHost disappeared. http://obcz.wikia.com/wiki/Official_BookCrossing_Zones_Wiki
I will mention this project on the BookCrossing OBCZ forum. I have also recently started a project to list all OBCZs in the UK on a website so would be happy to add them to your Wiki.

What happened to the first one—they just lost the whole thing?

Not just ours was lost. The whole of WikiHost went as far as I can tell.

Ow.

Tim, is there any way the BookCrossing Zones for the UK can be listed by county? The USA is done by state as is Canada and Australia but the UK actually has more zones listed than any of them and the list seems a bit random. If this is possible I will become a life member of LT, I have already sent a few more Bookcrossers your way from the BCUK Facebook group :)

Where do you want it listed by county?
here?: http://www.librarything.com/local_directory.php?subtype=2

There would be fine or here http://www.librarything.com/local/littledirectory&subtype=2&country=Unit...

Also I need to delete http://www.librarything.com/venue/41158/BookCrossing-Zone-at-Hudsons-Coffee-Shop as it looks like this was created somehow long before this projected started and the venue is now closed. How do I do this?

Edit venue info, on the right side in the grey box.

however:

"Closed venues should be marked as defunct, not deleted."

OK thanks. Where do I mark it defunct? Ah.. found it. Now done.

Also I am I right in thinking that duplicates can be removed by using the 'combine' function in the other grey box on the right?

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Also I am I right in thinking that duplicates can be removed by using the 'combine' function in the other grey box on the right?

You can, but a better way for now as we try to build this feature quickly, would be to simply "delete" the duplicate. That can be done by clicking on the "edit venue information". Then go to the column on the right and click on "delete this venue". The venue will not disappear, but will be archived. Give the reason as "duplicate". Following this maneuver, the venue will only appear one time on an individual member's Local page.

Thanks for you help everyone. Is there anyway of fine tuning the placement on the map? This is a particular problem with Telephone Box Libraries which do not have a full address.

I would just add a better, more detailed, description of the location in the "description box". The dot will bring the visitor to the general location, but then the description you add will bring the visitor to the *exact* location.

Tim has kindly now listed the OBCZs in the UK by county which I am delighted with. Thanks again Tim.

My next question is about events. I have successfully added my own local bookcrossing meet ups as we meet at OBCZs. I would now like to start adding some other Bookcrossing meet-ups and other local book related events. Not all of these are at existing venues. Can I add a Bookcrossing meet-up without the venue being a little library? If so how. The same question applies to other book groups too.

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How about here?

...or, better yet (see msg #16)...

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Alternatively, you can list any venue as long as there are continuing book-related events there. For example, you can list a coffee house or a pub as an "other type" instead of a "little library". Then just add the book-related event to that venue (for example, BookCrossing meet-up) each month as it happens.

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Another fun option is to list the type "Fair/Festival" instead of "Little Library" if you know of a festival with a BookCrossing event. For example, see the "comment wall" on this entry.*

*FYI: It is marked defunct because the 2013 festival is over and a new entry was added for 2014.

Bottom line: All of these venue types can be entered:
Bookstore
Library
Fair/Festival
Other places
Online and other non-places
Little Libraries
TV, Radio, Podcasts

Thanks, interesting. Now I want to find existing Podcasts, I haven't seen them on my travels around the site.

How to find podcasts (if there are any near you):

1. Click on the "local" tab at the top of the page.
2. On the left side of the page (but to the right of where you see "Local Venues"), click on "edit".
3. Add/correct the number of miles or kilometers to the "search radius".
4. Uncheck everything but keep the check mark on "TV, Radio, Podcasts".
5. Click "save locations".
6. Click on "most" (to the right of "Local Venues").

I don't actually see podcats on mine, but, if they had been entered, that's where they'd be. I only see radio stations on mine.

Thanks. I get podcasts if I extend my milage to include London but i may well be able to add some local ones eventually.

I have now finished adding the zones for Germany. It is interesting to note that they have more than the USA and UK put together. Does anybody know if there are any countries left to be done?

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I was working from BC's Go Hunting pages.

My progress list is here.

Should I have been working from another page (your wiki, for example)? I was trying to catch some LFLs that were not BC zones. You can continue from where I left off in either Canada or UK (you might discover some ones not listed on your source - be sure to check if they are not already listed to prevent duplicates). You can also choose any of the other countries in between. Just mark them with your name so I'll not duplicate your work.

You seem to be working much more quickly than me. :)

How can I add a BookCrossing library to the local page for Malvern, Worcestershire, UK? And while I'm at it, how can I enter an independent bookshop to it for the same town? Cheers.

>23 passion4reading: At the top of the page, click the "Local" tab. Then, in the upper right corner of the page, click "Add Venue"