Catalog Tip: Create Reading “To Do” Lists

Posted on 18 December 2015

With so many “best of” book lists published at the end of the year, it’s hard to keep track of all the great reading ahead of you. Lucky for you, the library’s online catalog has you covered. The My Lists feature allows you to keep track of titles you’d like to check out at a later time, or to create your own book lists to share with friends, i.e., “Books to Read Over the Holidays.” 

Create Your List(s)

1. Consult your preferred “best of” lists, such as the Washington Post’s 10 Best Books of 2015 or the recommended reading/book lists on the library’s website
2. Locate the items in the library’s catalog (search by title, author, etc.)
3. Select the Add to My Lists button/link
4. You will be prompted to log in to your library account (library card number + PIN) if you’re not already logged in
5. Select a list you’ve already created from the drop-down or create a new list
6. Click/tap on Submit

Remember to revisit your list(s) later, in your library account to place holds or to share with friends.

Share Your List(s)

1. Click/tap on the list name you want to view (i.e., “Stuff to Read”) to bring up your list of books
2. Click/tap on the Export List link/button, which brings up your entire list of saved records
3. In the Format of List section, select Brief Display (default is Full Display)
4. In the Send List To section, enter the e-mail address you want your list to be sent to
5. Optional – change the Subject of the e-mail from the default “From the library catalog” to something like, “Books You Must Read”
6. Click/tap on the Submit button to email your list

For more tips on using the library’s online catalog, check out the Catalog Help page.

~ Alison, Electronic Resources Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library

To keep up-to-date on library news and events, subscribe to bookmarks, our monthly eNewsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.