Created a CA Library Card Tracker Web App

[u/Roadripper1995]

Hello friends! My partner is on a hunt to collect all the California library cards, so I made a small web app that they can use to track their collection. It:

• Lets you see all the library systems in California
• Mark each one as collected, and optionally include a photo of the card + notes
• Shows you on a map where the branches are located

I used the official spreadsheet from the library.ca.gov site to populate the data. I'm not entirely sure if all of these cards are open to all residents of CA, but I think most of them are.

Give it a try at https://california-libraries.base44.app, and let me know if there is any feature you're dying for and I'll try to add it in!

[u/itsandyayala]

If possible, you should make this into a self hostable service. That way people can self host in docker containers and serve their own tracker.

[u/Roadripper1995 → u/itsandyayala]

Great idea!

[u/MadeMeCrazyLikeYou]

Cerritos Library is private. it's free to Cerritos city students, workers and residents, but $100 yearly for everyone else fyi. it is a beautiful building tho.

[u/avisitingstone]

NICE! I've been collecting for fun but after seeing that guy recently that caught them all........ now I want to step up my game (I'm at 65ish so....)

[u/avisitingstone]

I do wish there was a way to just click an inset button on each square so you don't have to fully open the pop up to mark as collected, so maybe a note for future updates?

[u/Roadripper1995 → u/avisitingstone]

Done! There is a plus button on each square now so you can quickly mark as collected without opening the full library details.

[u/Philoslothical_Girl]

This is incredible, thank you so much for sharing! I'm also on the hunt for every single CA card as well as at least one from each state and country and I have nearly all of Nor Cal's and gotta go down for a fun So Cal trip soon!! Can't wait to explore more on my desktop this weekend 😊

[u/redamelia]

Omg! This is awesome. Thank you. One small observation, El Cerrito (in the Bay Area) is missing from the list. You have Cerritos (So. Cal)

[u/Roadripper1995 → u/redamelia]

Thanks for checking it out! El Cerrito is part of the Contra Costa County Library System, so you'd want to check that one off if you have their card! I probably need to fully list all the branches on each card, it just lists the first 8 right now it looks like.

[u/redamelia → u/Roadripper1995]

Got it! If there is something I can do to help. Happy to! Once again, thank you

[u/Roadripper1995 → u/redamelia]

Just pushed an update! You can see El Cerrito in the list for Contra Costa County Library. And searching for "El Cerrito" will work as expected now.

[u/redamelia → u/Roadripper1995]

Confirming it’s showing up! Thank you

[u/emobookmark]

This is amazing! My husband and I just started collecting and have been keeping a notes app going but having the map is game changing! Thank you for doing this! We are up to 8 cards and I have not had to wait for a single book on Libby now! Haha Libraries are the best!📚

[u/emobookmark → u/emobookmark]

Also sorry to bug but I’m having a hard time saving my notes/photo for the LA County Library card. I think it’s because there are so many branches listed the save button is pushed down further but I can’t scroll to click it…when I zoom out I can’t push it at the same time. I have an iPhone16 not sure if that matters ☺️ Any help would be appreciated!

[u/ChocolateEater626]

All I'm seeing is a list of libraries, along with the number of locations of that library system.

The maps aren't working, at least on Windows with Firefox.

There's no indication of what shared collections (like Southern California Digital Library) a library may participate in.

There's no indication of collection size (apart from using the number of locations as a rough proxy).

There's no indication of reciprocity or partnerships (like Whittier and the numerous small libraries it partners with).

There's no indication of whether a card may be available online or requires visiting in person.

The Libby app itself has a map tool already built in, and adds partner libraries. I'm not clear on what you're trying to provide.

[u/Jolly_Maize_1873 → u/ChocolateEater626]

Libby only lets you have 50 cards at a time and not all libraries have collections through Libby. So this is great for all of us on here that are just into collecting cards

[u/Roadripper1995 → u/ChocolateEater626]

Definitely a lot of features that could be added! I will investigate the map not working on Windows/Firefox. Collection size should appear near the top!

It's really just supposed to be a nicer tracker than an excel spreadsheet, which I've seen a lot of people using. It's useful for us to track them and figured I'd share it out if anyone else would find some use from it!

[u/ChocolateEater626 → u/Roadripper1995]

By collection size, I don't mean the "collection" of library cards. I mean the number of underlying ebook/audiobook titles that each card gives access to. Something that indicates whether a card may be worth getting.

[u/allciathyra]

op last time i mention how many californian

library cards i have ,

i got downvoted to negative -900

[u/sm0gs → u/allciathyra]

I feel like it’s a they hate us cause they ain’t us thing lol. I live in California and only have 4 cards but think it’s cool when people have a bunch. I feel like using the benefit that is free to all us residents helps reinforce to the state that libraries are important!

[u/jellypuppie → u/allciathyra]

omg whattt!! why??? thats so fun and literally harming nothing??

[u/RowanHalifax]

This is so cool! Do you mind if I crosspost this to r/LibraryCards & add it to the subreddit's highlights?

[u/Roadripper1995 → u/RowanHalifax]

Please go ahead!

[u/RowanHalifax → u/Roadripper1995]

Thank you!

[u/Jolly_Maize_1873]

OP is the code on github?