Using the Library Catalogue for Readers’ Advisory Services Exploring, discovering and finding what readers want By Laurel Tarulli Collections Access Librarian, Halifax Public Libraries

The catalogue as a Readers’ Advisory Tool Uniformity in headings/access points not found in other databases Personalized for your readers’ and library’s needs Allows an RA to find titles for the reader that we have in our collection The experts on this database are in-house – us!

Uniformity in headings/access points not found in other databases

Personalized for your readers’ and library’s needs

Allows an RA to find titles for the reader that we have in our collection

The experts on this database are in-house – us!

Not Popular in RA Services Mindset – “Myth” that the catalogue is hard to use Lack of expertise for the different search functions which leads to frustration Use and knowledge of subject headings and genres Limitations of catalogue and its content Traditionally considered inventory list, not a discovery tool

Mindset – “Myth” that the catalogue is hard to use

Lack of expertise for the different search functions which leads to frustration

Use and knowledge of subject headings and genres

Limitations of catalogue and its content

Traditionally considered inventory list, not a discovery tool

Why should we use the catalogue? We control the catalogue We are the experts Enriched content/description Reading lists Personalized annotations Local/specialized access points RA collaboration Narrative Non-fiction genre headings

We control the catalogue

We are the experts

Enriched content/description

Reading lists

Personalized annotations

Local/specialized access points

RA collaboration

Narrative Non-fiction genre headings

Cont… Allows an RA to suggest titles that we have in our collection Readers go away happy with a positive experience! Novelist and other resources are very good in finding similar reads, but they don’t reflect what we have in our collection SFP (Suggestion for purchase) but the readers want a book now – not in a month or so. We run the risk of losing them to a bookstore or having them walk away disappointed. You don’t want readers to feel as if we don’t have what they want

Allows an RA to suggest titles that we have in our collection

Readers go away happy with a positive experience!

Novelist and other resources are very good in finding similar reads, but they don’t reflect what we have in our collection

SFP (Suggestion for purchase) but the readers want a book now – not in a month or so. We run the risk of losing them to a bookstore or having them walk away disappointed. You don’t want readers to feel as if we don’t have what they want

Adult Fiction Genres Become familiar with the genres used in your library catalogue Successful searches combine genre headings with subjects How do I know what to search? Look at the records to see what is being used Adult fiction records usually include: Setting/Place Occupation of protagonist Genre

Become familiar with the genres used in your library catalogue

Successful searches combine genre headings with subjects

How do I know what to search?

Look at the records to see what is being used

Adult fiction records usually include:

Setting/Place

Occupation of protagonist

Genre

Examples Author I really like books by James Patterson. Can you recommend other books like his? Elements Mystery/Suspense Serial Murders Investigations Murders Genres – Mystery ; Suspense Subjects – Murder investigations, Serial Murders Subject keyword search “Suspense Serial Murders Murder investigation”

Author

I really like books by James Patterson. Can you recommend other books like his?

Elements

Mystery/Suspense

Serial Murders

Investigations

Murders

Genres – Mystery ; Suspense

Subjects – Murder investigations, Serial Murders

Subject keyword search “Suspense Serial Murders Murder investigation”

Examples… Book I liked the DaVinci Code. Do you have more books like that? Title search “DaVinci Code” Review record – Subject headings and genre headings What are the elements a reader liked about the book? Secret societies and codes Subject search “code and cipher stories secret societies”

Book

I liked the DaVinci Code. Do you have more books like that?

Title search “DaVinci Code”

Review record – Subject headings and genre headings

What are the elements a reader liked about the book?

Secret societies and codes

Subject search “code and cipher stories secret societies”

Examples Genre I like to read mysteries but I prefer that they are set in Ireland. Oh, and I like to read about women police officers. Women police officers – “Policewomen” Subject search “Mystery Ireland Policewomen” Maybe just police in general, rather than women police? Subject search “Mystery Ireland Police”

Genre

I like to read mysteries but I prefer that they are set in Ireland. Oh, and I like to read about women police officers.

Women police officers – “Policewomen”

Subject search “Mystery Ireland Policewomen”

Maybe just police in general, rather than women police?

Subject search “Mystery Ireland Police”

You try it! Author If you like Marian Keyes Elements Funny Single Women Romance Genre I just went to Italy and loved the food! But, I’m a mystery reader and don’t like non-fiction. Can you recommend anything?

Author

If you like Marian Keyes

Elements

Funny

Single Women

Romance

Genre

I just went to Italy and loved the food! But, I’m a mystery reader and don’t like non-fiction. Can you recommend anything?

Conclusion The Library Catalogue can be used as an RA tool. Requires collaboration between RAs and Cataloguers & bridges the Technical Services/Front-line staff divide Promotes better understanding of cataloguing practices and access points among staff and readers Increases expertise in searching the catalogue and finding reading suggestions for readers – as well as educating readers to use the catalogue to find reading suggestions on their own Assists in enhancing bibliographic records and “personalizes” the catalogue Provides an in-house tool to find suggested reading material of items currently available at the library

The Library Catalogue can be used as an RA tool.

Requires collaboration between RAs and Cataloguers & bridges the Technical Services/Front-line staff divide

Promotes better understanding of cataloguing practices and access points among staff and readers

Increases expertise in searching the catalogue and finding reading suggestions for readers – as well as educating readers to use the catalogue to find reading suggestions on their own

Assists in enhancing bibliographic records and “personalizes” the catalogue

Provides an in-house tool to find suggested reading material of items currently available at the library