Can I have a private collection within a public library?

Hi- It seems like the privacy settings are all or nothing. Is it possible to make your library public, but reserve one or more collections to remain 'private' or vice versa - have a private library, but make one or more collections public i.e. shareable/linkable for others?

I have some extensive collections on specific subjects I would be happy to be public, but don't necessarily want all of my library to be public. I'm thinking the only way around this is to create separate accounts - one public and one private. ????

That is correct -- public/private is all or nothing.

At the bottom of each "edit book" page there is a checkbox that says "Private book (this is a beta feature)". Don't use it. That feature either does not work, or is buggy and may hide the book even from yourself.

It would be too complicated, because books can be in multiple collections.

I would love to see the ability to make a private collection within your library, and think a lot of people would find it helpful! For those who want to catalog their media on topics like health, religion, LGBTQ+ issues (especially if they aren't "out" yet) or even just their "spicy books." I'd like to share my library with my family, but I wouldn't want to get lectured by my mom as to why I have a book called "The Physical Manifestation Of Twiddor’s Rapid Descent Into Chaos Thanks To Inept Management From A Manbaby Edgelord Pounds Me In The Butt."

+1

Also, thanks for the reminder that I haven't read a Chuck Tingle work in a while.

>4 MajorZed:

You have no idea how disappointed I am that that's not a real book. ;-)

That said, you could create a second account, and either make that library private or simply not share it with your family.

>6 lilithcat: It is a real book.

https://www.amazon.com/Physical-Manifestation-Twiddors-Management-Edgelord-ebook...

>7 amanda4242:

Oh, cool! I couldn't find it in a search, but that may be because it's only in a private library.

Pity it's only on Amazon. After his latest stunt, I am even less inclined than I was before to put even a penny in Bezos' pocket.

>8 lilithcat: I don't blame you, that was one of the last titles I squeaked in before they discontinued the eBook download feature. There's no way I couldn't have a copy of that one!

>9 MajorZed:

I haven't used my Kindle in a long time, so I wasn't referring to the eBook download debacle. I was thinking of something more serious, the destruction of the Washington Post's opinion section. They'd better remove their "Democracy Dies in Darkness" slogan, because Bezos is turning off the lights.

Oh right, that too. I haven't purchased eBooks from them in a few years, but the download bit was the final push for me to get the books I did have on there going back to 2011 downloaded. And apparently I had enough points to pick up a few more, so Chuck Tingle it was! I also picked up "Absolutely No Thoughts Of Pounding During My Fun Day With This Kind T-Rex Because I'm Aromantic And Asexual And That's A Wonderfully Valid Way Of Proving Love Is Real." (His titles are just the best!)

If my library is private, does that mean no one can see my reviews?

>12 purpleiris:

That is correct. There is an exception, however, if the review is written for the Early Reviewer program.

This wiki article lays out the consequences of having a private library: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/Private_library

Thank you so much! I've been posting reviews here for a couple of years now and had no idea!