# Tim Spalding > founder of LibraryThing **Wikidata**: [Q15080653](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15080653) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tim-spalding ## Summary Tim Spalding is an American programmer, librarian, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the founder and owner of LibraryThing, a social cataloging web application for storing and sharing book catalogs. Based in Portland, he has a background in software engineering and was educated at the University of Michigan and Georgetown University. ## Biography * **Born:** Cambridge * **Nationality:** United States * **Education:** Georgetown University (ended 1994), University of Michigan, Concord Academy * **Known for:** Founding LibraryThing * **Employer(s):** LibraryThing (Owner) * **Field(s):** Software Engineering, Librarianship, Entrepreneurship ## Contributions Tim Spalding created LibraryThing, a platform designed to help individuals catalog their books and connect with other readers. As the owner and creator, Spalding developed the software to address the needs of book lovers, leveraging his dual expertise as a programmer and a librarian. His work includes developing the underlying software infrastructure and community features of the site. In 2011, Spalding presented "Tim Spalding about LibraryThing at the On Track conference 2011" in Copenhagen, outlining the platform's utility and development. Beyond the main platform, he maintains a presence on social media, including a YouTube channel established in 2006 and a Twitter account active since 2007, where he discusses the project and engages with the library and tech communities. His contributions bridge the gap between traditional library science and modern web technologies. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Tim Spalding's primary contribution to the tech industry? A: Tim Spalding is the founder and owner of LibraryThing, a prominent social cataloging application. He developed the software to allow users to catalog books and share library data. ### Q: What is Tim Spalding's educational background? A: Tim Spalding attended Concord Academy and Georgetown University, where his studies concluded in 1994. He also attended the University of Michigan. ### Q: Where does Tim Spalding currently work and reside? A: Tim Spalding works as the owner of LibraryThing and is based in Portland. ### Q: When did Tim Spalding start his online presence for LibraryThing? A: Spalding established the "librarythingtim" YouTube channel in December 2006 and joined Twitter in May 2007 to promote and discuss the platform. ## Why They Matter Tim Spalding matters because he successfully combined the discipline of library science with software engineering to create a lasting tool for information organization. By founding LibraryThing, he provided a digital infrastructure that democratizes cataloging, allowing individuals to organize personal collections with professional-level metadata. His work has influenced how readers interact with bibliographic data, fostering a community around book ownership and discovery. The longevity of the project—spanning from the mid-2000s to the present—demonstrates a sustained impact on the digital humanities and social reading sectors. Spalding's recognized authority in the field is evidenced by his inclusion in major library authority files, such as the Library of Congress and the National Library of Israel, highlighting his relevance to both the technological and library communities. ## Notable For * **Founder of LibraryThing:** Created and owns the social cataloging website (Wikidata ID Q742640). * **Library and Tech Intersection:** Recognized as both a professional librarian and a software engineer/programmer. * **Early Social Web Adopter:** Established a social media presence for his work on Twitter (2007) and YouTube (2006) during the early days of Web 2.0. * **Authority Control:** Holds identifiers in major bibliographic databases, including the Library of Congress (no2001051896) and VIAF. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Tim Spalding was born in Cambridge and is a citizen of the United States. His education began at Concord Academy, followed by higher education at Georgetown University, which he attended until 1994. He later attended the University of Michigan. ### Career and LibraryThing Spalding is the owner of LibraryThing, a site he founded to facilitate the cataloging of books and social interaction among readers. His role encompasses that of an entrepreneur, a librarian, and a hands-on software engineer. He operates out of Portland. Spalding has represented LibraryThing internationally, notably speaking at the "On Track conference" in Copenhagen on December 2, 2011. During this presentation, titled "Tim Spalding about LibraryThing at the On Track conference 2011," he discussed the platform's main subject (Q742640). ### Digital Presence Spalding maintains an active digital footprint associated with his work: * **YouTube:** His channel, "librarythingtim" (ID: UCsFu_Vyt4PJZpCkoWTVS_cQ), was started on December 18, 2006. As of August 2024, it hosts 22 videos. * **Twitter:** Operating under the handle `librarythingtim` since May 9, 2007, his account has tracked a significant following, notably recording 15,751 followers as of February 2023. * **Identifiers:** His professional identity is tracked via VIAF ID 154146153129405251863 and LibraryThing Author ID `spaldingtimothy-1`. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.librarything.com/whoweare.php) 2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231120141316/https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/tim-spalding-movers-shakers-2008)