Searching LibraryThing

One of the things that always throws me is the 2 input boxes for searching LT (especially where one is always visible in the top frame, and the other is only visible in the 'Your books' view and isn't in the top frame). It's also something of a problem for new users.

Would it not be sensible to have a single input box which defaults to 'Your books' and only opens up the wider site search if nothing is found in your catalogue (perhaps with the message 'nothing found in your catalogue so we've searched the full site' - a bit like what Amazon/Ebay do when searching a specific category). You could have a toggle to switch between 'Your books' and the wider site search.

Alternatively, add a new category (at the top) to the site search results called something like 'Your library' which drops you into 'Your books' view.

I understand that the 2 search functions are acting differently, but to my mind usability would be improved by having a single search with filters accessed via the top frame, not different search functions in different locations.

I like the choice of where I am searching, and would be very unhappy is it changed.

I rather more often want to search the whole site than my catalogue, so I appreciate the former being easily accessible everywhere.

I actually hate the way Amazon and Etsy goes full site if they can't find anything and would rather not have it do that.

I'm the other way round - I'm most often searching my catalogue to see whether I have a title not whether a title has been entered elsewhere on the site. I only site search if I'm looking for members with certain books (so I can clone the record into my catalogue) or if I'm looking for series or authors.

It's the annoying multiple click to get to your books if you aren't in your books already (or if you've scrolled far enough down the page to loose the lower search box). I'm finding I'm less tolerant of scrolling and clicking than I was because of arthritis in my hands (been spring cleaning and have triggered a flare-up).

Aside from my personal preference to have them separate, I have doubts how technically feasible it is to merge them since site search includes of all LT, including talk, wiki, members, etc. Site search is always visible and actually saying 'search LibraryThing'. Catalogue search is only visible on home page and in catalogue and says 'search your library'. Not confusing, they are just one below the other in catalogue, so it's possible to click the wrong box if not paying attention. From home page, it's virtually impossible to mix them up since catalogue search is far more prominent.

If I could wish for a change with search, it would be to be able to open it in new tab by middle click, but the magnifying glass doesn't work as a link, so no dice

>5 Maddz: The top line with search in catalogue is fixed, same as general LT top row with links?!? It doesn't scroll when you scroll down the books in catalogue. If it isn't for you, there must be some setting for that

I more often search my own catalog than the site, and I typically do it from my home page. If I'm already in My Books catalog view, I do it from there, of course. Those two locations really cover 95% of my desire for catalog search, so I'm not at all put out by the current arrangement.

>5 Maddz: Are you using phone or laptop?

Did you know that clicking on the L symbol at the very top right takes you to your home page? And the search box for your catalog is front and center there. That’s how I use the feature on my phone and I’m pretty sure it works the same on laptops.

>7 SandraArdnas: That's what I was saying - site search is fixed, but in Your Books, your books search isn't fixed, and if your view is set to a high number/page, it's all too easy to scroll down and loose that search box.

>8 paradoxosalpha: I'm usually searching from Talk or Add Books; about the only time I access the Home page is when I'm looking for Early Reviewers (which reminds me - I must write a couple of reviews and review a couple more before I get the Hugo packet).

>9 2wonderY: iPad or MacBook Pro or iMac. I rarely use LT on my iPhone; only if I'm in a bookstore checking titles or if I'm away checking Daily Deals.

It's less of a problem on the laptop/desktop machines, but they are in a fixed location (laptop has a permanent set up in the sitting room, the desktop is in the office). It gets real tedious on the iPad when I'm taking inventory or checking titles by author (some authors I have over 100 books in various formats); I lost count of the number of times I dropped into site search instead of staying in catalogue view. I've been updating my listings recently, and in many cases I was working on the iPad as it's rather more portable when the bookcase is behind furniture.

>10 Maddz: No, the top row with catalogue search is also fixed, so there must be some setting that can turn it on or off. Going to look if I can find one. Mine is definitely fixed and I would also find it annoying if it scrolled

Edit: no luck finding anything that controls the top row. Could it be a bug that yours scrolls? Or is it only on iPad that it scrolls, in which case mobile view works differently I think. Maybe switching to desktop view there too would fix it. IIRC, even the top row with site search isn't fixed on mobile, but I avoid web browsing on mobile if I can help it, so not sure

I find this bit useful when searching the site -



The option to click into all my collections at the top helps when I didn't mean to do a site search, but a search within my books. Maybe this will be of help.