TRUCKEE, Calif. and#8212; Library users frequently access the library online catalog through the Internet by going to the county web site at http://www.mynevadacounty.com/library. By entering the library card barcode and PIN number (which is given once to a library staff member who enters the PIN into the unique patron record), library users are able to search the online catalog for books and other library materials, place requests on materials to be picked up at any of five library locations and renew library materials. Recently, two new enhancements to the libraryand#8217;s online catalog were introduced: recently added items and booklists.

Are you in the mood to read or watch something new? Click on the and#8220;Recently Added Itemsand#8221; tab where you can now easily see books, DVDs, and CDs we have recently added to the library. You will then be able to choose from a number of lists such as new books in fiction, childrenand#8217;s new books or new DVDs. I was amazed to find out in the past two months, the library system has added 104 new fiction titles and 123 non-fiction titles to the adult collection; 79 new DVDs, 34 new teen titles, 21 picture books, 40 chapter books and 39 books on CD. If an item is checked out or not at your preferred branch, you may place a request on it. Four of our five libraries are located in western Nevada County, a mountain pass and 60-90 minutes of driving away. Stay up-to-date on whatand#8217;s new, since recently added materials rarely stay on the shelf for very long.

Not sure what you or your kids should be reading next? There is now a and#8220;Booklistand#8221; tab where you can easily link out to best seller lists from the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Publisherand#8217;s Weekly. Also available are links to award-winning book lists and web sites for book recommendations based on your reading preferences. Click on the link for book ideas for children and tweens and it takes you to James Pattersonand#8217;s popular web site called ReadKiddoRead.com. Click on the link for Like that? Try this and#8230; to query the Book Seer by filling in the blanks: and#8220;Sir! Iand#8217;ve just finished reading ______ by _______. What should I read next?and#8221; The Book Seer becomes your virtual reference librarian 24/7. While it may lack the personal touch and esoteric knowledge of a flesh and blood librarian, it can be a very useful tool. There are also links to the Caldecott, Newbery and Teen Fiction award winners. Finally, you can link to our downloadable book service (both audio and ebooks) called LibraryToGo. Watch this space for more information on LibraryToGo in coming weeks.

Truckee Library, 10031 Levon Ave., 530-582-7846, mynevadacounty.com/library.

and#8212; Submitted to aedgett@sierrasun.com