It’s all about the book

Think about how useful it would be to be able to:

• Organize and keep track of your books
• Help your kids make their own readings lists
• Create a lending library database — useful if you're a teacher or if you have a small library of your own and often loan out books

Luckily for us, Gentle Readers, there are dozens of templates on Office Online designed to help us organize, plan, and secure a little "me" time this summer.

A template for every reader

I have a whole lotta books. I often read them more than once and so, I like to have them around. Keeping track of them is another story.

Below are some examples of the templates relating to books and book collections — all free on Office Online.

• Reading list This is an Excel spreadsheet that's simple enough for a very young child to use. My 7-year-old is part of a summer reading program and she keeps track of the books she reads (and that we read together) using this simple template.
• Home reading log This is also a simple template for the very young. It can be printed out and written on for those not yet using the computer keyboard.
• Literacy advocacy poster Speaking of reading programs, this template is a poster that you can customize to fit your needs.
• Book collection database This Access template is for you hard core readers. The database has spots for title, topic, notes, and other important information you can categorize and search for using the database.
• Book collection list When you need something simpler than a database (although truth be told, the Book collection database is easy as pie to start using) an Excel spreadsheet is just what you need.
• Lending library Whether you're a casual loaner or the neighborhood librarian, creating a lending library database helps keep track of your assets and who has checked them out.
• Book summary This OneNote template is one of my favorites. It's basically stationery that has space for all the standard information — such as title, author, genre, etc. — and also provides room for an abstract or mini-review and a summary. Very useful for teachers and professors who want to organize their classes' reading lists.
• Book club flyer newsletter Some of you are die-hard book group aficionados. (Me? Not so much. Only reason I'd go is for the snacks and the wine.) But if you are really into it (and plenty of people are, Oprah for one), this handy newsletter has space for what the next book is, where the meeting is next month, and upcoming events.
• Book plate Protect your investment with a lovely book plate (like the nametags your mom sewed into your undies when you went off to summer camp). Print it on sticky paper and affix it inside your book. Now when you loan out part of our precious collection, you're more likely to get the books back.

"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." — Mark Twain

-- Crabby