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

Google

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