(La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)1−x–(BaTiO3)x solid solution samples (x = 0, 0.03, and 0.08) were synthesized by sol–gel route. Pure La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 has orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group whereas solid solution samples possess rhombohedral structure with R-3c space group. Temperature-dependent ac susceptibility at different frequencies and memory effect confirmed the spin-glass behavior in these samples. The samples exhibited magnetocaloric coefficient around room temperature. The maximum values of magnetic entropy change observed in our samples are 0.45, 0.86, and 1.07 J Kg−1 K−1 for x = 0.03 and 0.62, 1.23 and 1.56 J Kg−1 K−1 for x = 0.08 compounds at 2, 4, and 5 T applied magnetic fields, respectively. The relative cooling power values for x = 0.03 and 0.08 are 55.9 and 116.5 J Kg−1, respectively, at 5 T. The observed multifunctional properties of the studied system give a new direction to explore the magnetocaloric effect in similar such systems. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.