By Cheryl Houts

A new program at the Los Altos library will allow patrons to keep up to date on the most recent publications in subjects of special interest to them.

People who sign up for the service will receive an e-mail every few weeks listing as many as 15 titles. A link in the e-mail will connect to the library catalog, where readers can place a hold or request on titles that interest them.

The e-newsletter will be customized for 20 different genres, including biography and memoirs, science fiction, armchair travel, mystery, business, romance, health and fitness, and do-it-yourself. Titles will include fiction, nonfiction and audio books.

“This is another enhancement to the online services we provide 24/7 to the public,” said Melinda Cervantes, Santa Clara County librarian. “It allows our customers to browse through our collection without having to come to the library or spend a lot of time sorting through our catalog. With 1.6 million items in the Santa Clara County Library collection, that could take quite awhile.”

Santa Clara County Library is among the first libraries in the country to offer this service, called NextReads, which was developed by the creators of NoveList.

Houts is the community librarian at the Los Altos main library, 13. S. San Antonio Road. For more information, call 948-7683.