+HOW TO set up a group in LT and the GR differences you might see
Talk Welcome Goodreaders to LibraryThing
Join LibraryThing to post.
1DebiCates
Groups! That's the hub of social activity in LT. Just about anything in GR Groups you can do, you can do in LT groups.
Before you begin a new group, check to see if a group already exists with what you have in mind. Use the search box here in the page of group listings.
https://www.librarything.com/ngroups
STRUCTURE
In GR you have four levels
Group
Discussion Folder
Topic
Message
In LT there is one less tier, no Discussion Folder
Group
Topic
Message
That one less organizational tier means every Topic is posted straight under the Group. I prefer GR's one more organization tier but you get used to and there are probably little "tricks" to overcome it, to organize things as if there were a folder. (I'm using the + in topic titles here in this group to help categorize them, akin to the GR folder.)
GROUP CREATION
Options:
Groups need a description, that description will show up when you view the group or when you view groups via the groups page that lists all groups.
Groups can be for anyone to join (no approval required, anyone can just jump in).
Group discussions can be public or private to members only.
You can set groups so that only members can post but anyone can view.
You can set groups so they are private and won't show up in searches.
You can set the language of the group.
You can allow or disallow images in posts.
You can add a picture (like a banner) for your group. Add a copyright statement, add a title/description of the pic.
AFTER GROUP IS SET UP as admin
You can add other admins (revoke them as well)
You can resign as an admin.
You'll get notified (LT message and your email if you've opted to receive them) when new members join.
You can see all joined members.
You can remove a member.
You can ban a member.
You can add tags to the group for searches. Their suggestions for tagging are categories.
You can pin posts so they show up at the top always.
You can delete the group. (Interestingly, though, if the group reaches a certain threshold of activity, LT may not allow that and would instead put out a request for a new admin.)
INVITING OTHERS
Unlike GR there are no special amenities for inviting others. It is done either by you reaching out (one by one by direct messaging) or posting the name of the group/link in another group(s) to attract interested members.
Of course, if your group is public others will come once it gets going and the word gets around. And members are able to do searches to find groups that interest them so they may find your Group that way as well.
Also, when you look at a member's profile, it lists what groups they belong to. That's another way to find groups you also might be interested in.
FOLLOWING A GROUP
"Talk" is where that happens. Talk settings probably need its own topic (so many options!) but rest assured you can follow all the activity in your groups by going to Talk. You can also "star" (favorite) a group topic or even a single message! (See the "more" options under each message for that option. It's pretty handy when you don't want to forget to get back to a message.)
WHAT'S ALLOWED IN GROUP MESSAGES?
Normal formatting like bold, italics, spoilers using html like in GR.
URLs translate automatically to links.
Links to specific books, authors, even series that are in the LT databank, using a technique called "touchstones" which is like GR's "add author/book." SEE https://www.librarything.com/topic/375881
Upload pictures (if the group admin allows it, though I've not tested that.)
Replying to individual messages and the original message writer will be notified.
You can address a member, @member that will create a link and notify that member.
And with a click of a button you can include your whole review of a book, opening it for comments.
Like GR, you can preview your message before posting.
You can edit or delete your message after you post it. LT people will often indicate they've added something to their original message with the acronym ETA: meaning Edited to add:
SUMMARY
The particulars are different, but the essence is the same. You can join groups that interest you, you can set up groups yourself to attract people about a genre or some challenge, or set up a group that focuses on a book a month buddy read, or you can set up a group for just a specific one time title buddy read.
Like in GR, the sky is pretty much the limit for what you can dream up in groups in order to interact with others. Have a great time!
Before you begin a new group, check to see if a group already exists with what you have in mind. Use the search box here in the page of group listings.
https://www.librarything.com/ngroups
STRUCTURE
In GR you have four levels
Group
Discussion Folder
Topic
Message
In LT there is one less tier, no Discussion Folder
Group
Topic
Message
That one less organizational tier means every Topic is posted straight under the Group. I prefer GR's one more organization tier but you get used to and there are probably little "tricks" to overcome it, to organize things as if there were a folder. (I'm using the + in topic titles here in this group to help categorize them, akin to the GR folder.)
GROUP CREATION
Options:
Groups need a description, that description will show up when you view the group or when you view groups via the groups page that lists all groups.
Groups can be for anyone to join (no approval required, anyone can just jump in).
Group discussions can be public or private to members only.
You can set groups so that only members can post but anyone can view.
You can set groups so they are private and won't show up in searches.
You can set the language of the group.
You can allow or disallow images in posts.
You can add a picture (like a banner) for your group. Add a copyright statement, add a title/description of the pic.
AFTER GROUP IS SET UP as admin
You can add other admins (revoke them as well)
You can resign as an admin.
You'll get notified (LT message and your email if you've opted to receive them) when new members join.
You can see all joined members.
You can remove a member.
You can ban a member.
You can add tags to the group for searches. Their suggestions for tagging are categories.
You can pin posts so they show up at the top always.
You can delete the group. (Interestingly, though, if the group reaches a certain threshold of activity, LT may not allow that and would instead put out a request for a new admin.)
INVITING OTHERS
Unlike GR there are no special amenities for inviting others. It is done either by you reaching out (one by one by direct messaging) or posting the name of the group/link in another group(s) to attract interested members.
Of course, if your group is public others will come once it gets going and the word gets around. And members are able to do searches to find groups that interest them so they may find your Group that way as well.
Also, when you look at a member's profile, it lists what groups they belong to. That's another way to find groups you also might be interested in.
FOLLOWING A GROUP
"Talk" is where that happens. Talk settings probably need its own topic (so many options!) but rest assured you can follow all the activity in your groups by going to Talk. You can also "star" (favorite) a group topic or even a single message! (See the "more" options under each message for that option. It's pretty handy when you don't want to forget to get back to a message.)
WHAT'S ALLOWED IN GROUP MESSAGES?
Normal formatting like bold, italics, spoilers using html like in GR.
URLs translate automatically to links.
Links to specific books, authors, even series that are in the LT databank, using a technique called "touchstones" which is like GR's "add author/book." SEE https://www.librarything.com/topic/375881
Upload pictures (if the group admin allows it, though I've not tested that.)
Replying to individual messages and the original message writer will be notified.
You can address a member, @member that will create a link and notify that member.
And with a click of a button you can include your whole review of a book, opening it for comments.
Like GR, you can preview your message before posting.
You can edit or delete your message after you post it. LT people will often indicate they've added something to their original message with the acronym ETA: meaning Edited to add:
SUMMARY
The particulars are different, but the essence is the same. You can join groups that interest you, you can set up groups yourself to attract people about a genre or some challenge, or set up a group that focuses on a book a month buddy read, or you can set up a group for just a specific one time title buddy read.
Like in GR, the sky is pretty much the limit for what you can dream up in groups in order to interact with others. Have a great time!
2lilithcat
Before you create a group, please do a search on the main Groups page: https://www.librarything.com/ngroups to find out whether there is already a group on the same subject. This will avoid accidental creation of a duplicate group.
3DebiCates
>2 lilithcat: Thank you, makes good sense. I will amend message #1 to include that so it is there too.
