Online Library Integration

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 109 views

Introduction

Are you an avid reader looking for a way to manage your extensive book collection? Do you want to keep track of the books you've borrowed and lent to friends and family? Look no further than Alexandria, a powerful and user-friendly book management application designed to help you catalog and organize your book collection with ease.

What is Alexandria?

Alexandria is a GNOME application that allows you to create a comprehensive catalog of your book collection. With its simple and intuitive interface, you can easily add, update, and manage your books, as well as keep track of which ones are on loan. This application is perfect for book lovers, researchers, and anyone who wants to keep their book collection organized and up-to-date.

Main Features

Alexandria offers a wide range of features that make it an indispensable tool for book management. Some of its key features include:

Online Library Integration

Alexandria can retrieve and display book information from several online libraries and bookshops, including:

Amazon (searches .co.uk, .fr, .de, .jp, and .ca websites, as well as amazon.com)
Proxis
AdLibris
Livraria Siciliano
DeaStore
Spanish Ministry of Culture
US Library of Congress
British Library
WorldCat

Manual Book Entry

In addition to online library integration, Alexandria also allows you to add and update books manually. This feature is useful when you want to include books that are not available online or when you want to add custom information to your book entries.

Search Functionality

Alexandria offers a powerful search function that allows you to find books by:

EAN/ISBN
Title
Authors
Keyword

Z39.50 Standard Support

Alexandria supports the Z39.50 standard, which allows you to manage your own sources and import data from other applications.

Data Storage and Export

Alexandria saves data using the YAML format and can import and export data into ONIX, Tellico, and EAN/ISBN-list formats.

Web Page Export

You can export XHTML web pages of your libraries, which can be themed with CSS.

Loan Tracking

Alexandria allows you to mark your books as loaned, including the loan date and the name of the person who borrowed them.

User Interface

The application features a HIG-compliant user interface, making it easy to use and navigate.

Book Views

You can view your books in different formats, including a standard list or icons list, which can be filtered and sorted.

Book Rating and Notes

Alexandria allows you to rate and add notes to your books, providing a more detailed and personalized catalog.

Barcode Reader Support

The application supports CueCat and standard "keyboard wedge" barcode readers, making it easy to scan and add books to your collection.

Translations

Alexandria is available in several languages, making it accessible to users worldwide.

Documentation

The application is documented in a complete manual, which is currently available in English and Japanese.

Benefits of Using Alexandria

Using Alexandria as your book management solution offers several benefits, including:

Organization: Alexandria helps you keep your book collection organized and up-to-date, making it easier to find the books you need.
Time-saving: With Alexandria, you can quickly and easily add, update, and manage your books, saving you time and effort.
Customization: The application allows you to customize your book entries with notes, ratings, and other information, providing a more personalized catalog.
Accessibility: Alexandria is available in several languages, making it accessible to users worldwide.

Conclusion

Q: What is Alexandria and what does it do?

A: Alexandria is a GNOME application designed to help you manage your book collection. It allows you to create a comprehensive catalog of your books, including information such as title, author, publication date, and more. You can also use Alexandria to keep track of which books are on loan and to whom.

Q: What are the main features of Alexandria?

A: Some of the main features of Alexandria include:

Online library integration with several major bookstores and libraries
Manual book entry for books not available online
Search functionality by EAN/ISBN, title, author, and keyword
Support for the Z39.50 standard for managing your own sources
Data storage and export in YAML, ONIX, Tellico, and EAN/ISBN-list formats
Web page export in XHTML format
Loan tracking and notes
User interface with HIG compliance
Book views in standard list or icons list format
Book rating and notes
Barcode reader support
Translations in several languages
Complete manual in English and Japanese

Q: Can I use Alexandria on multiple platforms?

A: Alexandria is a GNOME application, which means it is primarily designed for use on Linux systems. However, it may also be compatible with other platforms such as Windows and macOS, although this has not been extensively tested.

Q: How do I install Alexandria?

A: To install Alexandria, you will need to download the application from the official website and follow the installation instructions. This typically involves unpacking the application and running the installation script.

Q: Can I customize the appearance of Alexandria?

A: Yes, Alexandria allows you to customize the appearance of the application using CSS themes. You can also customize the layout and behavior of the application using the configuration file.

Q: Is Alexandria available in multiple languages?

A: Yes, Alexandria is available in several languages, including English, Japanese, and others. You can select the language you prefer when installing the application.

Q: Can I import data from other book management applications?

A: Yes, Alexandria supports import of data from other book management applications, including ONIX, Tellico, and EAN/ISBN-list formats.

Q: Can I export data from Alexandria to other applications?

A: Yes, Alexandria allows you to export data in several formats, including YAML, ONIX, Tellico, and EAN/ISBN-list formats.

Q: Is Alexandria free and open-source?

A: Yes, Alexandria is free and open-source software, which means that it is available for anyone to use and modify without cost or restriction.

Q: Where can I get help with Alexandria?

A: You can get help with Alexandria from the official website, which includes documentation, tutorials, and a community forum. You can also contact the developers directly for support.

Q: Can I contribute to the development of Alexandria?

A: Yes, you can contribute to the development of Alexandria by reporting bugs, suggesting new features, and contributing code. The application is open-source, and anyone can contribute to its development.