The Joplin Public Library has about 95 percent of the American Film Institute's top movies available to be checked out. Globe/T. Rob Brown

1. They're orderly.
2. There's a sense of accomplishment in checking something off a list.
3. Hierarchy is fun.

Linda Cannon, the collection development librarian at the Joplin Public Library, said the library has used lists for years to inform the public of new additions to the library's collection.

"It gives people a place to start. If they're just browsing for something interesting, they can look and find what others have found interesting," Cannon said.

Everything from new nonfiction books, compact discs and teen fiction to audiobooks on tape is dutifully recorded each month on a list.

"I figured people would be interested in having access to the lists and seeing what we have," Cannon said.

Recently, the library began using the American Film Institute's lists to acquire movies. The library has about 95 percent of the movies listed, she said.

The AFI lists offered at the library:

• 100 Funniest Movies
• 100 Most Passionate Movies
• 100 Best Movies
• 50 Heroes Titles
• 50 Villains Titles
• 100 Most Thrilling Movies

Cannon said the lists have proven to be quite popular. The library offers 917 DVDs and approximately 6,000 VHS tapes.

Nearly half of the DVD collection normally is checked out. Most of the movies are offered in DVD format, but nearly every title still is available in VHS.

"We do buy some less mainstream movies. They don't have to have been big box office, but they have to be well reviewed, " Cannon said.

There are some people who now only check out movies, ignoring the books completely, but the library's lists do not ignore books. In fact, the library also offers numerous lists for those who want to read based on recommendations.

Those lists are:

• Oprah's Book Club
• Modern Library's Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century
• Bestsellers 1902-2001
• American Library Association Notable Adult Books 2003
• ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2004

Cannon said that not as many people are aware of the library's lists as she would like, but that many of the library's regulars use the lists often and complain if they're not available.

"On occasion, we have had computer glitches and we immediately started hearing from people saying, 'Where are my lists?'"

How to access the library lists

The dozens of titles on the lists of the Joplin Public Library can be checked on the library's Web site:
Joplin Public Library

• Once on the Web site, click on the link that says "Connect to the Library Catalog/Renew Materials/Place Holds."
• Click on the list to be viewed, and it will show titles, whether they are available and number of holds.