Readers of this blog know that I'm a huge fan of LibraryReads. I have been re-posting the list since it began in September of 2013, and yet, I still find library workers out there who have not heard of it. So today, I wanted to shout into the RA void and give you all the information you need to be aware of LibraryReads and show both how it can help you help readers and how it helps Libraries prove our importance in the economics of the publishing industry.
LibraryReads is the monthly nationwide library staff picks list for adult fiction and non-fiction. Our goal is to help connect readers to as many books as possible, while drawing upon the incredible power that public library staff has in helping to build word-of-mouth for new books, and the important role that libraries play in creating audiences for all kinds of authors.
Rather than picking “the best” of anything, LibraryReads represents collective favorites–the books library staff loved reading and cannot wait to share. There are no judges or juries. Participation is open to everyone who works in a public library, whether senior staff or new arrivals, in any area of the library. LibraryReads is designed to be inclusive and diverse, representing a broad range of reading tastes and showcasing a variety of new titles, including buzzed-about debuts, genre favorites, bestselling authors, and lesser-known midlist titles that public library staff are raving about.
One of the easiest ways to understand exactly what LibraryReads does and how important they are is to look at their Annual Report, the most recent of which was recently posted on their "About" page.
You can get direct access here or by click on the image below.
I especially like all of the examples of how libraries use the lists as part of their regular RA activities.
Get to know LibraryReads. Participate and promote. It is out there gathering your votes and, along the way, it is also proving the anecdotal evidence that library workers really do influence book sales.
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