Using the Library Catalogue for RA Services Exploring, discovering and finding what readers want By Laurel Tarulli Collections Access Librarian, HPL

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

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

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

Cont… Allows an RA to suggest titles that we have in our collection Allows an RA to suggest titles that we have in our collection Readers go away happy with a positive experience! Readers go away happy with a positive experience! Novelist and other resources are very good in finding similar reads, but they dont reflect what we have in our collection Novelist and other resources are very good in finding similar reads, but they dont 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 dont want readers to feel as if we dont have what they want 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 dont want readers to feel as if we dont have what they want

Adult Fiction Genres Handout – become familiar with the genres we use Handout – become familiar with the genres we use Successful searches combine genre headings with subjects Successful searches combine genre headings with subjects How do I know what to search? How do I know what to search? Look at the records to see what is being used Look at the records to see what is being used Adult fiction records usually include: Adult fiction records usually include: Setting/Place Setting/Place Occupation of protagonist Occupation of protagonist Genre Genre

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

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

Examples Genre 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. 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 Women police officers – Policewomen Subject search Mystery Ireland Policewomen Subject search Mystery Ireland Policewomen Maybe just police in general, rather than women police? Maybe just police in general, rather than women police? Subject search Mystery Ireland Police Subject search Mystery Ireland Police

You try it! Author Author If you like Marian Keyes If you like Marian Keyes Elements Elements Funny Funny Single Women Single Women Romance Romance Genre Genre I just went to Italy and loved the food! But, Im a mystery reader and dont like non-fiction. Can you recommend anything? I just went to Italy and loved the food! But, Im a mystery reader and dont like non-fiction. Can you recommend anything?