I just read in the RCLS Weekly Memo about “LibraryReads”, a new program spearheaded by a steering committee of public librarians from across the country. It is designed to share the a monthly list of the top ten reading recommendations by librarians for the general public. It will be a volunteer program, designed to collect favorite reading recommendations of library staff, and market for outreach between library systems, with the intent to demonstrate the combined impact of public libraries on the country’s reading culture. Early feedback has been offered by both the ALA and Association of American Publishers. The ABA is also weighing in, having had experience with the Indie Next List. The CEO of the ABA states: “we know that bookstore customers are also library patrons and vice versa.” (Now there’s a revelation!) The cost of the libraryreads.org website and marketing costs will be underwritten by well known book publishers such as HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Group, Random House and other lesser known companies. Which brings to my mind the question — what’s in it for them? At any rate, it’s satisfying to have our profession recognized as the “go – to” experts for recommendations…
