Organizing the Homeschool Library Step 3~Homeschool Snips & Tips

Yay, you are now ready for step three…entering your books into a database.

If you are just joining us, check out Step 1 and Step 2.

As I have previously mentioned, there are different databases you can enter your books into. I used Homeschool Tracker Plus for it’s simplicity and I already own it.

I am going to explain a bit about HSTP. This is a great program for keeping track of your homeschool records. I like printable planning forms for planning (my homemade forms and TOS Planner) , but for our actual records and such, I like to use Homeschool Tracker Plus. HSTP helps make your end of year records look very professional, which is a big bonus if you happen to get “inspected”, or for use when applying to colleges.

If you want to purchase Homeschool Tracker Plus, might I ask a favor? Could you please use referral code 29XXR? I will get a small bonus for helping spread the news of HSTP. Thanks.

If I want to later add the genre to the database, I can add it in the notes section or the custom section. With Homeschool Tracker Plus, you can also state where the book is by using the location column.

Now for screen shots of how to enter your information to the database.

When you first open Homeschool Tracker Plus, you will be at the Main Menu, you will need to open the Maintenance tab, then open Library. It will take you to a screen like the one below, only there won’t be books listed.

Now you will want to click on the add icon. It will take you to the screen below.

If you know the ISBN number, then click the blue ISBN icon. It will open the screen below…if that book is recognized, it will download most all your information for the book. Easy! If it is not recognized, then you will need to simply type it in. Still easy. Click Save.

Once you have your books in the database, you are ready to print your report to take with you to the book sales. Go to the Reports Tab, then to Library items under the maintenance list. It will open the window below.

Now, you will want to experiment as to how you want your report to be made. The look below is created by the above settings.

If you decide you want to add information to your books, it is easily done by clicking the column in the first window that I showed you and editing that information in.

I am sure most of you are familiar with finding ISBN numbers, but if you aren’t, many times they are on the back cover.

See the little bar code with numbers above it in the bottom left hand corner? That is your ISBN.

Here is a close up.

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