Product Overview of NoveList
NoveList, a division of EBSCO Publishing, is a comprehensive readers’ advisory service designed to connect readers with their next favorite books and enhance the library catalog experience.
Core Functionality
NoveList serves as a powerful tool for libraries, integrating rich content directly into their online public access catalogs (OPACs). The primary goal is to help readers discover new books, authors, and series based on their interests and reading preferences.
Key Features
1. Reading Recommendations
- NoveList provides personalized reading recommendations, including similar titles, authors, and series, all linked directly to the library’s catalog. This feature helps patrons find alternative books when their desired title is unavailable.
2. Catalog Enrichment
- NoveList Select, a key component of the service, enriches library catalogs by adding detailed book information such as book jackets, professional reviews, sample excerpts, tables of contents, and summaries from Content Café, a database by Baker & Taylor.
3. Additional Content
- Users can access book discussion guides, Goodreads ratings and reviews, library newsletters, and information about upcoming events, all within the catalog record. This makes the library catalog a one-stop destination for book discovery and community engagement.
4. Local Collection Information
- NoveList flags titles available in the library’s collection, ensuring patrons know which recommended books are immediately accessible. Libraries need to periodically update EBSCO with their collection’s ISBNs to maintain this feature.
5. User Experience Enhancements
- The service includes improvements in display and usability, making it easier for users to navigate and access recommended titles, series information, and other relevant content. Features like Lexile reading levels are added to help determine the appropriateness of titles for children based on their age and reading level.
6. Integration with Library Systems
- NoveList Select is compatible with all major integrated library systems, allowing seamless integration and ensuring that the rich content is accessible across various platforms.
7. Community Engagement
- The service facilitates community engagement by providing links to library newsletters and event sign-up pages, helping libraries to promote their activities and build a stronger connection with their patrons.
Benefits for Libraries and Patrons
- Enhanced Discovery: NoveList transforms the library catalog from a mere book delivery service to a robust book discovery platform, enabling patrons to explore more of the library’s collection.
- Personalized Recommendations: By leveraging NoveList content, libraries can offer personalized reading suggestions, enhancing the user experience and encouraging readers to explore new authors and genres.
- Community Engagement: The integration of library newsletters and events promotes community activities and fosters a stronger relationship between the library and its patrons.
In summary, NoveList is an indispensable tool for libraries, offering a suite of features that enhance the catalog, provide personalized reading recommendations, and foster community engagement, ultimately enriching the overall reading experience for library patrons.