Story elements are your ingredients for readers' advisory success
We're super-excited about NoveList Story Elements, all of the ingredients (lovingly and painstakingly worked by our metadata librarians) that help readers identify what about a book they liked, so that you can help them or they can easily find another equally satisfying book. Think of the tips below as ingredients for a savory readers' advisory smorgasbord. Read on for takeaways on how to use story elements in your readers' advisory work.
Use fresh language
Have you heard about themes, the latest addition to our story elements? Themes are popular and recurring fiction plot elements (think 'The butler did it!' in mysteries). Begin a conversation with readers by sharing a list of themes.Inspire yourself (or your colleagues) with a screening of NoveList's webinar, Unlocking Themes to Improve Your Readers' Advisory.
 
Let your signage and displays do the talking
Did you know that NoveList has printable "I Love Books That Are..." signs? Download these then place them around your library to help readers learn the language that meshes with the kinds of books *they* like. Use NoveList to help identify books to populate displays. Once you find books that move quickly, stash them in a NoveList folder for easy display replacement.You can also use NoveList’s Promotional Templates in LibraryAware to help readers match their interests. 
Make it easy for your readers to find story elements
Readers will be thankful for having all of the story elements together -- in the catalog. The latest version of NoveList Select (a free upgrade) combines the power of story elements with a fresh visual user experience and an interactive story mixer. Who knew getting read-alikes could be so much fun? Share themes and other NoveList story elements with your patrons.  
Use field codes to search with appeals, fast
Appeals are an integral part of the story elements that make NoveList unique. Check out NoveList librarians' newest creation: own voices, applied to books in which the protagonist and the author share a marginalized identity. Luckily, as with all appeal terms, it's easy to search them in NoveList. Type "AP Own voices" into the NoveList search box then use limiters to narrow your results.       
Genre headings include library search helpers
Those metadata librarians! Not only do they have the traditional genres covered, they also work tirelessly to come up with new access points. Librarians from Canada, Australia and New Zealand can dig in to fiction headings specific to their readers. Other helpful headings: TV tie-ins and franchise books (think Doctor Who or Halo). 

Watch and learn


Want to learn how to promote your library's collection? Mark your calendars and join us on November 29 for our Promote your collection to increase circulation and engage readers webinar. Hear from three library systems that shine the spotlight on their collections in creative ways beyond displays and bookmarks. Register now! 
 
Drop us a line to let us know how we're doing. We're listening.
 
Kathy Stewart
NoveList Consultant
 
Are there any topics you want to see covered in upcoming training newsletters? Email us your suggestions.
 
 
Latasha Jeter Communications Specialist 


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