It may seem simple, at first, to categorize Christian fiction. Most readers would agree that there is a core of biblically-based attitudes, values, and actions, and likely there would be very little, if any, profanity, sex or violence. Generally, Christian fiction has religious themes infused into a regular genre story. But there are as many subgenres in Christian fiction as there are in popular fiction – from cozy mysteries to legal suspense to fantasy.  more >>

Gate counts keep going up, but staff levels are not. Patrons’ technological needs are increasing as many have lost their jobs and access to computers at the same time. Older patrons with little computer experience are finding that many insurance and financial forms need to be completed online. Is your staff ready to serve?  more >>

You know that selecting highly ranked scholarly content ensures high quality, current information for your institution. But what do you need to know about some of the most widely used rating and ranking systems to put them to work for you?  more >>

Every library has its own philosophy and policies governing collection development and management. One important part of the library’s service to its community is the large print collection which many patrons depend on for both entertainment and information. Recognizing that there is as much art as there is science in the selection process, there are guidelines and best practices that can help maximize the dollars in your large print book budget and promote circulation of these materials.   more >>

For years Fortune 100 companies have used sophisticated geographic information system (GIS) mapping tools and advanced database technologies to segment their markets and deliver products and services to meet specific market needs. These same powerful analytic tools that provide a detailed look at neighborhoods street-by-street are now available through libraries.  more >>

The final session in the “Returning the Researcher to the Library” series takes the discussion from problem to solution: the groundbreaking Summon™ web-scale discovery service. Launched in July, the Summon service is being recognized as the library’s new ally in taking back its role as the starting point for research and exposing the expanse of its content riches.  more >>

An audiobook is an intense marriage of creative forces between author, narrator, director and publisher. How does a book make it from a printed work to a CD, Playaway, or Digital Download? What challenges do narrators, directors, and publishers face in bringing audiobooks to fruition? How does technology impact audiobook production and distribution?  more >>

Mystery fiction is high on the list of public library patrons - and the genre is as broad as it is deep. While detective fiction may be the most popular form of mystery fiction, there are dozens of other variations which keep these avid readers returning to the library again and again, including thrillers, cozies, romantic suspense and good old police procedurals.  more >>

"Why can't I search the library the way Google searches the Web" Librarians have been fielding that question for more than a decade as popular general search engines have set new expectations for service, searching and responsiveness. The complexity of multiple formats and the sheer scale of library collections have proven formidable barriers to simple, speedy, single search box interfaces.  more >>

A library’s collection is often its single largest investment. Carefully developed for the specific needs of users, it’s also the library’s unique competitive advantage… until users try to navigate it. Studies point to an increasing level of user frustration in trying to access appropriate library resources and as a result, they’re opting out of the library for the research needs.  more >>