The document discusses the online bibliographies provided by the Association of American University Presses (AAUP), which include over 12,000 titles related to current events and issues. It outlines the platform's development, functionality, and the importance of university press publications. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for simplicity and immediacy in promoting these resources.

1. {
SLIDES for
UNDERSTANDING

2.  Online bibliographies of AAUP members’
publications on current events and issues in the
news
 www.booksforunderstanding.org
 Originally published as standalone
“Books for Understanding September 11”
published September 2001
Scholarship Beyond the Headlines

3. Bestsellers

4. Backlist

5. So Much More

6. 1100+ Titles

7. ~80 Publishers

8.  Expanded February 2002
(“Civil Liberties” and “The Enron Affair”)
 Almost 60 lists published by June 2014
 Approximately 12,000 titles listed
 118 presses featured
BFU Today

10. No Idea Has Not Been Had
 “AAUP Best Books” (late 90s)
 Interface to upload and feature extensive book
information—image, description, reviews, etc.
(Designed by Illinois’ Paul Arroyo)
 No buy-in from overburdened press marketing
& publicity staff

11.  Immediacy
 Simplicity
 Simplicity
 Simplicity
(and immediacy)
Reasons for Initial Success

13. {
Pay no attention
to the man
database behind
the curtain!
How does it work?

14.  Editorial Development
 Email Submissions
 Cranky FileMaker Database
 Idiosyncratic Web Architecture
 Basic Promotion
 Static/Text Web Pages
 Annual Updates
How does it work?

15.  Automated acceptance of metadata feeds
 APIs to create “Buy/Find This Book Links”
 Visual interest
 Analytics
 [Your More Exciting Ideas Here]
How Could It Work?

16.  Compelling illustration of the value of
university presses
 Immediately comprehensible by/useful to
many audiences
Why Make it Work?

17. Tomorrow’s Books for Understanding?

18. http://www.nap.edu/academ-scope/

19.  Brenna McLaughlin
Director, Marketing & Communications
Association of American University Presses
bmclaughlin@aaupnet.org
www.booksforunderstanding.org