online personalized reading lists
DESCRIPTION
My presentation at CAL's Readers Advisory Group Summer Workshop. August 2013TRANSCRIPT
Online Personalized Reading Lists
Melissa StockArapahoe Library District
Presented at CAL Readers Advisory Summer WorkshopAugust 6, 2013
More Creative Titles?
Libraries Contacted
3
3
2
2
Years Doing Lists
Less than 1
Two
Three - Five
More than Five
Six of the ten libraries surveyed have been creating personalized lists for
two years or less.
WHY OFFER A PERSONALIZED LIST SERVICE?
Reach out to patrons who may not come into branches
Turn indirect readers’ advisory into direct
Build continuing relationships with patrons
CREATING FORMS:
How many questions:
Half (5) of the libraries had 8 questions or less
Only one had more than 20
Pro of lengthy questionnaire:
• More information to help in creating list
Con of lengthy questionnaire:
• User experience is unsatisfactory
SUGGESTIONS FOR
MANAGING LISTS:
Who creates lists?
Mostly librarians
Smaller libraries usually only have one or two staff members
Larger libraries have a pool of librariansMost libraries have a joint email or
ticketing system
Librarians generally choose what lists to complete
But I don’t read science fiction…Where to find reading recommendations
Other librarians’ lists (we’ll get to that next slides)
Novelist
GoodReads
Your catalog’s “if you likes”
Amazon “Customers who bought this item”
Professional reviews/blogs
Other staff
Reinventing the wheelHow to store for similar future requests
Have a dedicated email folder or shared drive accessible by all
Store in Bibliocommons or Encore
Some libraries are using Bookletters to create and store
I’d do this…Suggestions from other libraries
If you have Bibliocommons or Encore, build your lists there. You can then make it public for other people.
If multiple librarians are compiling forms, have a checklist to ensure consistency
For teen or kid lists, check commonsensemedia.org to check on violence, profanity, sex, etc.
Have a print form too available in branches
Have a limit to how many genres people can check
Have fun with it!
I’d do this…
Suggestions from other libraries
INTERESTING FACTS AND FIGURES
Mysteries
Bestsellers
Historical Fiction
Suspense/Thriller
Chick Lit/Women’s Fiction
Action/Adventure
Fantasy
Mysteries/Suspense
Romance
Based on Mythology
Adults Teens
StatisticsArapahoe Library District
95% have read a recommended book or have at least one on hold
StatisticsArapahoe Library District
84%Are Satisfied or Very Satisfied with the suggestions
SOME COMMENTS
“I liked how the librarian that reccomended [sic] the books to me also enjoyed the same types of generes [sic] that I enjoy. Also, she offered to send me more if I didn't like the ones she sent me. “
“I think this is a great idea. I've never heard of personalized reading lists. I will be sure to use this feature in the future for my children. Thank you “
“I am excited to have many selections from which to choose. I never imaged a service to aid me in the types of books I love to read. Thank you, P. “
USELESS FACTS AND FIGURES