NoveList

Week V
I used the search term "Maisie Dobbs" to look for my series. Up popped the list of novels by Jacqueline Winspear, in order from first to last written, having been sorted by "volume." Of course, sorting by "date ascending" gives the same result for this series.

Having looked at all the views, I think the "grid" view is best for showing readers the results on a computer. The book covers are very enticing. I also think I might use this view to help me when I'm trying to come up with an idea for a book display. Looking at Maisie in grid form makes me think I could put together a table of books with women in cool hats. Now all I need is a clever title for the display.

But, I digress...the other views will be handy for printing out lists for a reader who doesn't feel comfortable using a computer. I particularly like the "detailed" view as it answers the common question, "What is this series about?" If, after reading these descriptions, the reader doesn't think the series is quite what she had in mind, then she can explore the read-alikes to the right of the screen. The "title" view will be good for the patron who has been reading the series in no particular order and who wants to see what she has yet to read. If/when patrons have learned how to use Novelist from home, they can easily create their own lists and bring these with them to assist their browsing at the library.

The steps outlined in question 2 are very familiar to me as I do this frequently for patrons who are looking for "something good to read" or "I liked this, what else have you got like it." After I do the search described,  patron and I then look at the results and check the shelves for books. I also keep  a file, alphabetized by our more popular authors, with printed read alikes. I find this very helpful when my patron and I are discussing what he/she would like to read next, as it gives the patron many more options than I could possibly remember.

I have also found it effective to post read alikes for wildly popular authors--think Stieg Larsson or Kathryn Stockett. In a small library such as ours, where we only purchase one copy of a title, patrons sometimes can't take home the book for which they came. Using the read alikes has helped me achieve my personal goal of never letting a patron leave without a book--whether the one originally desired or something new. Patrons have been very appreciative of these lists. In fact, my summer patrons have commented that they like this "personal" service they get at our library. I believe it is this level of service (it couldn't be our library's gobsmacking view) that keeps them coming back in spite of the fact that many have e-readers and don't "need" the library.

Over the past couple of years I have used NoveList (Plus) quite extensively. Every time I log in I find another nifty tool. I regularly refer to its book reviews; I search the awards lists and the book group lists. I use these to guide readers to books in our collection. If I had more time, I would use it even more to design displays, etc. I would love to hold small group sessions to teach my patrons about this powerful, fun tool they have at their fingertips, for free, at home.

Succinctly, I think NoveList is the bomb, a highly addictive one at that!