What does my library have to do with books appearing on the Loan Stars lists?
Books ordered by systems and branches who participate in LibraryData inform the list month to month.
Any librarian whose library participates in LibraryData will have the opportunity to vote on the Best of the Brightest books of the year at the end of the year.
What if my library doesn’t participate in LibraryData?
Any librarian who is signed up for the Loan Stars newsletter will have the opportunity to vote on the Best of the Brightest books of the year at the end of the year.
If your library isn’t participating in LibraryData yet - you can! Sign up here to learn more about how your library’s orders can contribute to Loan Stars, and how you can benefit from our reporting tools.
Finding information to inform your ordering decisions
CataList displays auxiliary materials (such as reading copies, samples, and excerpts) that can be helpful when finding out more about books that interest you for your library. After you have logged in, this extra content is found below the cover image on the left-hand side. Buttons for the following content will appear if the material is available:
1) Reading copies:
Publishers often produce print or digital copies of a book well before its publication date for review purposes. While these books may not always have the finishing touches in place (such as a finalized cover image), they are the finished book and usually find their way to all sorts of reviewers, contest judges, etc. In CataList, library users can request reading copies directly from publishers by clicking "Request an ARC" and filling out the form.
Users can also request digital copies through NetGalley. If one is available, CataList will show a "Request at NetGalley" button that will link directly to the title on NetGalley, where the request can be made. To find out more on how NetGalley works, click here.
2) Samples and excerpts:
There are only so many hours in the day and, as much as we strive for it, not all books can be read in their entirety. CataList now displays samples and excerpts of books that can give users a strong sense of whether or not the book is right for your library. And the best part? They're instantly available. When provided by the publisher, the first few chapters of a book or an entire section can be displayed in a pop-up viewer the user can enlarge, click-through, download, or just sit back and enjoy through a browser or tablet.
3) Tables of contents:
For further insight, the contents of the book will be revealed ahead of time. This is especially handy for academic books, as it reveals the scope of the book and how deeply it delves into any given topic.
4) Reading guides:
Book club, anyone? These reading group or teacher guides help users evaluate whether or not books should be included in certain collections or schools.
