Loan Stars is a readers' advisory tool that allows library staff across Canada to recommend forthcoming titles they deem essential for Canadian libraries. Each month, the books with the most recommendations become part of a top 10 list(s). These lists are shared by the media and public libraries. To be eligible for top pick status, a book must be:
But how can your books become Loan Stars picks? |
How Loan Stars works — from a library perspective
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The Loan Stars schedule
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Reading copy requests |
If you provide reading copies to some readers but not all, you can choose to allow only certain types of users to submit requests when enabling the request form in CataList. To enable the "Reading Copies" feature, log in to your CataList account. Please note that CataList is not a free service to publishers, and if you do not already have an account, please contact catalist@booknetcanada.ca for further information about our services and rates. To turn on reading copy requests, simply click the cog icon at top-right to access your Settings. Then choose the Reading Copies tab. Click "Yes" to access all of the options, including what types of books you'd like to offer and who you would like to offer them to. While you can restrict by category (fiction, non-fiction, juvenile, adult), you cannot restrict by title. All of your books that meet these requirements will be offered to your chosen population of readers. If you would like to offer reading copies to a select group of readers, please check off your preferences (libraries, media, retailers, wholesalers, and/or self-registered users) in the form. Make sure to provide an email address of where you'd like these requests to be sent within your company. Please note: Only account managers can set these preferences, but anyone can receive the requests as long as their email address is supplied. If you also want to receive a weekly report that summarizes all of your individual requests, check the box for "Email a weekly summary of all reading copy requests." Once you have made your choices, click Save. All requests that come through CataList are at your discretion to fulfill. You are not required to fulfill each request, but we do recommend letting readers know if the book they requested becomes unavailable. Requests made through CataList can be for either digital or physical copies. If you don't have available the format being requested, you can always contact the reader to see if they'd like a different format. You can also use NetGalley, a digital galley service that connects professional readers to upcoming titles and allows publishers to receive feedback. Titles that can be requested through both NetGalley and CataList will display both options to users. Readers who choose NetGalley will be taken to NetGalley's website and requests will come from their site. CataList allows users to also search and browse for titles on NetGalley. If you are interested in using NetGalley, please visit their site at NetGalley.com for more information on their programs and rates. |
Samples, excerpts, and interior images, oh my!If you don't plan to release a reading copy of a specific title there is a way to make portions of your books available through CataList. You can provide samples, excerpts, or interior images of your titles that will be available to trade only accounts. You can deliver these additional items through the BookNet BiblioShare FTP. All you need to do is follow our simple naming convention and drop 'em in the correct folder (i.e., either the Sample or Image folder, depending on what you're sending) within the BiblioShare FTP. You can also provide excerpt information via your ONIX. In the OtherText composite, the following type codes will be imported from list 33:
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What happens when your book becomes a Loan Stars pickCongratulations! Your book has been deemed an essential book for Canadian library systems by library staff across Canada. Now what? Share the news! We have materials available in the publisher section of our website that you are free to use in your own marketing efforts. We are constantly updating and adding to this collection and we are always open to creating new materials to meet your needs. Contrary to popular opinion, Loan Stars is an endorsement, not an award. What's the difference? And, more importantly, how can you tell everyone that your book is a Loan Stars pick? We have it written in ONIX for you: Tagging Loan Stars picks in your ONIX feed |