How to Use Shelf Control in Book Taco

Shelf Control lets you remove specific books from your students' book search results. When you lock a book, it disappears from the student view — students cannot find it, read it, or take a quiz on it. You can unlock a book at any time to make it available again.

Step 1: Go to Shelf Control

• In the left sidebar, click Shelf Control.
• The page is split into two columns: Select a Book on the left for searching, and Your Locked Books on the right showing every book you have already locked.

Step 2: Search for a book to lock

• In the Select a Book column, type a book title or ISBN into the search field.
• Click Search or press Enter.
• Results appear below the search field, each showing the book cover, title, author, ISBN, and a Lock button.
• If a book is already locked, its Lock button will be disabled.

Step 3: Lock a book

• Click the Lock button next to the book you want to remove from student searches.
• The book moves to the Your Locked Books list immediately, and the Lock button in the search results becomes disabled.
• A confirmation toast appears in the top-right corner: "Book [title] locked."
• From this moment, students will no longer see the book in their search results.

Step 4: Unlock a book

• In the Your Locked Books list, find the book you want to restore.
• Click the Unlock button next to it.
• The book is removed from the locked list immediately and becomes available in student searches again.
• A confirmation toast appears: "Book [title] unlocked."

Step 5: Find a book in your locked list

• If you have many locked books, use the filter field above the Your Locked Books list.
• Type part of the title, author name, or ISBN — the list filters instantly as you type.

Books locked by your Super User

• If your school account has a Super User, a separate Locked Books By Super User section appears below your locked list.
• These books are marked Locked by Super User and have no Unlock button — you cannot remove them.
• They are hidden from student searches just like your own locked books.
• To have a Super User book unlocked, contact your Super User directly.

No confirmation required. Locking and unlocking are instant — there is no confirmation dialog. The change takes effect immediately for all students in your class.

Q: Does locking a book affect quizzes a student has already taken? 
A: No. Locking only prevents the book from appearing in future searches. Any reading logs or quiz results already recorded are not affected.

Q: Can I lock a book that is already in a student's reading list? 
A: Yes. The book will be hidden from search results, but any activity already recorded for it remains intact.

Q: Is there a limit to how many books I can lock? 
A: No. You can lock as many books as needed.

Q: Can I search by ISBN on the Shelf Control page? 
A: Yes. The search field on the Select a Book side accepts both book title and ISBN.