mundell.org The personal weblog of Carrick Mundell

Seattle Public Library Greasemonkey script part 2

[Update 16 May 2007: there’s an improved version that handles holds on Userscripts.org.]

About six weeks ago, I cobbled together a quickie Greasemonkey script for including a LibraryLookup link in Amazon’s book pages to the Seattle Public Library. It’s proved very handy. Some non-techie family members are using it, and it’s generated more comments and feedback than any previous entry on this here blog.

So, it was to my wonder and amazement that I recently happened upon a similar user script that does more tricks, more better. Over at snarfed.org is a script that queries the Palo Alto Libraries and displays the circulation status of whatever book you’re looking at on Amazon.com, just like Jon Udell’s script. As luck would have it, the Palo Alto Libraries use the same Dynix cataloging system as the Seattle Public Libraries, making the task of adapting the script for SPL trivial. Here’s a screenshot. Notice the nice green link under the book title which informs me that The System of the World is available in the Seattle Public Library:

Cool or what? Click that link and it takes you directly to the item in SPL’s catalog. The script is smart enough to also tell you if the book is checked out, on order, in process, or not available. I like.

Now, if you have previously installed my first script, I suggest you uninstall it before grabbing the new one. Also, I make no guarantees that this will by my last version. To make use of the script you’ll need Firefox, Greasemonkey, and to right-click the following link: amazonspl.user.js, then choose “install user script.” Then browse for a book.

[…] Update: I have a new, better script available. Check it out. If you’re still interested in the older script below, please continue reading. […]

Mundell, you’ve done it again, creating something breathtakingly useful. I only wish that I’d thought of it. Thanks for enhancing this already essential Greasemonkey script.

I tried installing this user scipt but it did not work, i did not get any error message either, Could you help me?

i get a Javascript error (GM_xmlhttpRequest is not a function) when i run the script . what do i do?

The latest version of Greasemonkey disabled this function due to a security risk. Hopefully, a more secure implementation will make it into the next version.

My older version of this script doesn’t use that function so it’s still good.

I installed and it seemed to work. I searched Amazon for a title and it said “not in SPL.” I then searched SPL and that titlte and another one that was not found were actually at SPL.

[…] I’ve taken the Greasemonkey script created by Carrick Mundell and modified it to work with the Timberland Regional Library catalog. Right-click and choose Install. (Assuming you’ve already installed Greasemonkey). […]

[…] I’ve taken the Greasemonkey script created by Carrick Mundell and modified it to work with the Timberland Regional Library catalog. Right-click and choose Install. (Assuming you’ve already installed Greasemonkey). […]

Too bad this new script doesn’t work. The old one works for me though! What version of Greasemonkey do I need to roll back to for this updated script to work?

You can upgrade to the 0.5 beta. The script works with this beta and I haven’t experienced any problems with it so far.. I wouldn’t recommend rolling back to version 0.3.4 because it has so many security issues.

[…] I’ve taken the Greasemonkey script created by Carrick Mundell and modified it to work with the Timberland Regional Library catalog. Right-click and choose Install. (Assuming you’ve already installed Greasemonkey). […]

Thanks for the script! I’ve modified it for the Toronto Public Library now as well.