CARL Corporation has announced the acquisition of a new electronic readers' advisory product developed by Smith, Strickler and Rohweder. “Novel Approach” aims to assist adult fiction readers to locate authors and titles that are likely to be of interest to them. The system asks the reader to enter information about books he or she has enjoyed reading as well as descriptions of the type of books she or he would like to read. This information is then used to create electronic lists of “books you might like.”
“Novel Approach” will be marketed as both a standalone product and as a component of CARL Corporation's “Everybody's Catalog.” The system provides enhanced subject access to approximately 29,000 adult fiction titles; in addition, roughly 2,600 full text book reviews have been added to the “Novel Approach” database.
Plans to expand “Novel Approach” include the continued addition of new authors, titles, and full-text reviews, as well as the addition of new data sources. Also planned is a feature which will allow libraries to add locally popular authors and titles. Expansions to the “Novel Approach” product line will include versions for young adults and children, and for non book formats such as video.
[Contact: CARL Corporation, 3801 E. Florida Avenue, Bldg. D, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80210; (303) 758-3030; Fax (303) 758-0606.]