Readers' Advisory on the Web-provided by libraries
Cheryl Morgenstern
July 21, 2010
ILS 593
RA Library Websites
Ann Arbor District Library (http://www.aadl.org)
Traditional RA services: Lists their new books, “hot” books, and lists bestsellers, on-line catalog.
Web 2.0 RA services: the AADL has turned their catalog into a web 2.0 RA tool. Along with location information and status of the title, the AADL supplies reviews and summaries, community reviews and tags.
Hennepin County Library (http://www.hclib.org/pub/bookspace/FindAGoodBook.cfm)
Traditional RA services: Search for books by genre, online catalog
Web 2.0 RA services: “If you Like” author search provides categories of similar subjects and reader created booklists. Their catalog also has reader comments.
Danbury Public Library (www.danburylibrary.org)
Traditional RA services: Online catalog, lists new books and media.
Web 2.0 RA services: Has drawn in tags and reviews from Library Thing into it’s catalog
Columbus
Metropolitan Libraries (www.columbuslibrary.org)
Traditional online services: Online catalog, lists new books and media.
Web 2.0 RA services: Suggests similar titles drawn from NoveList. Also has a “word cloud” to visually connect various keywords. Several of their librarians have their own blogs on GreatReads, to which patrons can add their own comments. You can also subscribe to up to 29 newsletters for recommendations based on genres.
Ohio’s Know it Now 24X7, an on-line reference chat, advertises that the librarian will provide suggestions of good books to read.
Reference
Wyatt, N. (2007). 2.0 FOR READERS. Library Journal, 132(18), 30-33. Retrieved from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts database.
