On Tuesday Sept. 9th, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop by Duncan Smith, one of the creators of Novelist. It didn\x92t go quite as scheduled because a violent storm knocked out power at the library (which was subsequently restored) and the internet (which was not), however the presentation was very informative and I learned some valuable tips both for use in this database (which all libraries in NJ have access to through \x93JerseyClicks\x94) and for Reader\x92s Advisory in general. In addition, he shared some interesting research on citizen library support that I thought might be worth passing on \x96 particularly as libraries consider how to get referendums passed.

Novelist Plus, of course, is designed to be a Reader\x92s Advisory tool. Duncan mentioned that research has shown that readers generally go around with 4 or 5 authors in their heads that have \x93worked for them\x94 \x96 they know what they like but haven\x92t analyzed why they like them. They come to the library with three hopes: 1. That their favorite author(s) may have published a new book 2. That the library has bought it 3. That it is there on the shelf. If these hopes are \x93dashed on the hard rocks of the circulation desk\x94 (as he put it) they resort to browsing the new and returned books \x96 looking for something without a clear idea of what they are looking for.

He argues that this is where good Reader\x92s Advisory comes in. To the patron looking for a \x93good book\x94, he suggests asking this question, \x93Tell me about a book you\x92ve read & enjoyed.\x94 This is an open-ended question that invites the reader to tell you about the experience of their reading. They may talk about characters (who), plot/action/genre (what), setting/time/place (where), theme or subject (why), and/or affect (how).

As the librarian listens to the patron s/he\x92ll note which elements are important to the reader \x96 what \x93good\x94 means to them.

He showed a DVD clip to illustrate this \x96 a woman named Joanne who described her current favorite book Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. She talked about how she loved the quirky characters (she\x92d like to have them over for a dinner party!) and how they interacted with each other, the area where the story took place, the description of nature, the humor\x85 After the patron described these things the librarian can then reflect back his/her understanding of what the patron said and both the patron and the librarian gain a deeper understanding of what elements of an author appeal -- thus enabling/empowering the reader to discover what it is they like.

He suggests then saying to the patron \x93I know a resource that will help us find you some great books to read.\x94 Looking up the favorite book in Novelist, you can see the subject headings assigned and ask the patron, \x93Which of these matter to you?\x94 Then use the \x93find similar books\x94 workform to combine terms (required/desired).

He then discussed this as well as well as other ways to use Novelist Plus\x96 which I will discuss in detail below \x96 but concluded the workshop with some information that I thought was really eye-opening & valuable \x96 particularly at budget referendum time. He stated:

OCLC research on library referendums that didn\x92t pass showed that many library users felt good about the library but didn\x92t understand why the library needed more than it already had. The research showed that fiction readers who helped themselves were often on the fence regarding whether to vote for more money. And indeed many voters who voted \x93yes\x94 weren\x92t even library users but were library supporters because they subscribed to the notion that \x93libraries transform lives.\x94 He argued that helping recreational readers understand what they are seeking and find satisfying reads turns them into active library supporters.

Now for the nuts & bolts of what I learned about Novelist Plus. I had used Novelist before, but Novelist Plus provides easier access to a lot of material I had missed in the past.

Novelist Plus is available statewide in NJ via JerseyClicks.

In addition to 240,000 fiction titles, Novelist Plus includes 60,000 narrative non-fiction titles, 30,000 of which are Juvenile. Criteria for inclusion of non-fiction in adult is readability -- narrative histories, biographies, memoirs and the like (as opposed to \x93how to\x94, financial planning, etc.), material in children\x92s conforms to National Curricular standards so there is stuff in every Dewey area.

The database uses 77,000 subject headings \x96 using both LC and the Hennepin County Library headings as a base plus adding others as needed for theme, topic, and genre.

They actively track series and series order (not just publishing order), reordering a series when a title comes out that goes between other titles in a series. (To have titles appear in series order, type the name of one title in a series, click on its series entry and the titles will appear in order \x96then \x93quick print\x94 to give list to a patron.) If we find error (in this or anything else, or if we have a suggestion), use \x93send feedback\x94 button (upper right) to let them know! If you have set up an account, you can set an \x93alert me\x94 to be notified of new titles in a particular series.

There are 260,000 SEARCHABLE full text reviews \x96 which is how it is possible to find a book when a patron just remembers a few details e.g. vampire romance set in New Orleans.

The popularity index measures more than 10 years of B&T order records from libraries & bookstores.

Included are (all are browseable on the right side of the home screen, relevant ones are listed in the tabs that appear when you do a search): 568 Awards Lists 292 Author Read Alike Essays (each describing what is notable about an author\x92s style with at least 5 suggested authors who write similar material) 850 Booktalks (many contributed by Bonnie Kunzel & Patrick Jones) 665 Recommended Reads (these are kid-tested lists) 200 Grab & Go Booklists (idea: quick and easy lists for putting together a book display) 522 Book Discussion Guides (we have copyright permission to print out and put in our book discussion kits) include author, summary, Q&A\x92s, and other titles readers might like. 423 Feature Articles \x96 Bibliographic essays on genres, etc. (Graphic Novels, Vampire Romances\x85) Database is updated weekly with the latest info. 228 Curricular Connections (great lists for everything from character education, teaching writing through picture books, biomes, letter of the week, etc.)

To find new ones, you can go to the tab for audience (eg. \x93kids\x94, then select \x93what\x92s new\x94)

Using Novelist:

Basic search has been simplified \x96 simple box with implied keyword searching and \x93and\x94 default, results return ranked by relevance -- (words in author, title, subject, series fields rank highest, looser results (from keyword fields) come below) Radio buttons allow you to limit by audience (CTRL to select more than one) Option to have either Fiction or Non-Fiction (default is All) Soon to come, radio buttons to limit to a particular field (author, title, subject, series)

Advanced Search enables field-limiting, lots of additional criteria (nationality, ethnic group of author, award-winners, novelist best, readability (Lexiles \x96 he calls them \x93Dewey decimal numbers for readability\x94 \x96 if you enter the Lexile from a book a child has read successfully it will automatically find books in the range from 100 below to 50 above), ages (this is drawn from full text of reviews so is only as good at the SLJ (or other reviewer\x92s) assignment.) etc. Use CTRL to select more than one item in an advanced search list.

Signing in (upper right) allows you to create (& save) custom booklists.

Sample searches:

Bill Bryson (launch read-alike search from an author) Find Similar Books feature allows you to use a book you have already read to find more books like it. For more info on this feature, see this page from the Help: http://support.ebsco.com/help/?int=novp&lang=en&help_id=1582#FindSimilar

Ghosts New Orleans (patron remembers a couple of details but not the name of a book) Mysteries national parks

Alex Cross (character search takes you to series, clicking series name lists them in order \x96 quick print button (above) prints out a quick list for patron)

Antique dealer detectives (they\x92ve indexed the occupation of all detectives in database)

Mother Daughter Relationships (can find headings they\x92ve used by \x93pearl-growing\x94 \x96 using headings from an existing title or by browsing the subject headings on the advanced-search screen)

Insects (check box \x93younger kids\x94) (clicking on tabs \x93curricular connections\x94 \x93grab & go\x94 or \x93recommended reads\x94 give great booklists you can hand out to a teacher looking for books to use on this subject)

Printing (best if you are logged in, so you don\x92t loose your results if the session times out): To create a bibliography -- From the Result List, add the titles you want to your folder (either individually or a page at a time). Click over to your folder to select all the titles and click the Print button. At the Print Manager, make sure the "Reviews and Full Text" checkbox is unchecked. From the Standard Field Format drop-down select "Brief Citation and Abstract."

Additional notes:

Good places to look for articles on Pre-K topics are \x93Curricular Connections\x94 & \x93Recommended Reads.\x94 Access these lists from the Browse section of the homepage under \x93Working With Kids.\x94 There are many articles available, including some on colors and letters of the alphabet.

\x93Recommended Reads\x94 has lists for Teens and Older Kids called "If You Like..." These lists focus on a popular title or series and provide the reader with several alternative titles that encompass some of the features of the book. For example the "If you Like Stormbreaker" list has the description: "If you liked the action, tech toys and mystery in the Alex Rider books, these books will also keep you turning the pages." To access these lists, from the Browse section of the homepage click the Recommended Reads link under the Teens (or Older Kids) heading. Scroll down to find the "If You Like..." link. Click that link to pull up the available lists.

I\x92m happy to share what I\x92ve learned if anyone has questions. If you want to see Novelist Plus in action, webinars are available. --Carol Simon Levin

Carol Simon Levin Somerset County Library / Bridgewater Branch 1 Vogt Dr. Box 6700 Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908 526-4016 x166

A library is a feast to which we are all invited -- Katherine Paterson A library is a place full of mouth-watering food for thought. -- Diana Wynne-Jones

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