Using the Library Catalogue for RA Services
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 Personalized for HPL
Using the Library Catalogue for RA Services
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Presentation Transcript
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 • Personalized for HPL • 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
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
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
Adult Fiction Genres • Handout – become familiar with the genres we use • 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”
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”
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”
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?