WFMW: Jon Udell's Library Lookup

Here's the scenario:

You have two browser windows open. One for Amazon so you can browse through books and find a few you'd like to read. The second window is for your local library so you can then look up and reserve the book you found on Amazon.

Well, do I have a new trick for you! It's called Jon Udell's Library Lookup. You are going to make me your hero and favorite friend after you start using this. You are going to wonder how you ever existed without it.

Here's how it works for Firefox (and you most definitely should be using Firefox as your browser!):

1. Go to the Jon Udell's Library Lookup site.
2. Scroll down to your state and find the library you want.
3. Simply click and hold on the link and drag it onto your browser toolbar.
4. Go to Amazon.com and look up a book (like this one).
5. Click on the Library Lookup button you just put on your toolbar. A new window will open.
6. Click over to the new window and see with amazement that you have just looked up the book at your local library and now all you have to do is reserve it.
7. E-mail Chilihead to tell her she is your favorite and you will tell the masses of her fabulousness. Name your first-born after her regardless of gender. Buy Groucho glasses in bulk and hand them out at your local library.

Here's how it works for Internet Explorer (which you really need to ditch and just start using Firefox):

1. Go to the Jon Udell's Library Lookup site.
2. Scroll down to your state and find the library you want.
3. Right click on your library's link.
4. Choose "Add to Favorites".
5. Choose the "Links" folder.
6. Go to Amazon.com and look up a book (like this one).
7. Click on the Library Lookup button you just put on your toolbar. A new window will open.
8. Click over to the new window and see with amazement that you have just looked up the book at your local library and now all you have to do is reserve it.
9. E-mail Chilihead to tell her she is your favorite and you will tell the masses of her fabulousness. Name your first-born after her regardless of gender. Buy Groucho glasses in bulk and hand them out at your local library.

To view more hints and tips, visit Rocks In My Dryer the original Works-for-Me-Wednesday tipster!

Comments

[Heth]

Great idea. Maybe I should be reading something other than the internet.

I promise I will name my next child after you Chili. Can "head" be the middle name? As in "Chili Head Laundrypile". What a cutie he/she will be.

[momrn2]

I do a similar thing but not as "high tech" as you've got it here. I just find a book I want, log in to my local library card catalog from home, and see if they have it. If so, place it on hold via the internet and then stop in to check it out.

Might have to try your "high tech" method sometime...

[melnel]

this is such a good find! And then you don't spend lots of money on Amazon. :)

And I do bow to your masses of fabulousness. No one will ever be as cool as you in groucho glasses...

:)

[StephanieG]

Great idea!! I too use our local library's website to browse for books I've been meaning to read, but this adds to my plethora of books to choose from!! THANKS!!

[LammyAnn]

Chiligirl... You ARE my favorite AND my hero, and if I have any more children (would be a miracle) then for sure CHILI will be his/her name.
CHILI-PYPER. (Sounds like chilipepper with an accent)
Sounds like the name of an exotic dancer.
hm.
Maybe I'll have to tweak it a mite.

[melnel]

I commented on this yesterday when I saw it for a brief moment.
I can't remember what I said.
Probably that it was cool.
Because it is.
But really I'm just posting a comment again because the little 0 next to the comment link looked a bit lonely.
:)

[Ann]

My library probably wouldn't have the book I'm looking for, let alone a website. But I'm on top of that - I've got my friend talked into being on the library board!

[Shalee]

That my friend is a great tip! I will be checking it out pronto!

And you already know that you're my hero. You should come back to KC so that we can do that ice cream thing again... or mud pie. Yummm.

And the next child I have will definitely be given your name so that you will have a living testimony to your greatness!

Happy now?

[jodijean]

sorry chillihead you are not my hero, i thought you were going to be, but alas, my local library (and none of the surrounding cities local libraries) are on that list. sad sad day.

[melissa]

that was so cool. i followed your directions and it worked so cleverly that i couldn't believe it. you are so smart! i'm not sure i can work chili into my child's name but the glasses i can hand out in your honor!

[Jennifer, Snapshot]

Oh--My--Gosh. You rock!! I was truly going to email you (as requested) and tell you that, but take my greatest thanks. I have a whole separate wish list on Amazon for library, so I can just click it in there, but this is so awesome. I missed it for WFMW, so I was glad Shannon pointed us over here again.