Jessica's Notes 2.17.09

Background on Goodreads.com and how it developed:

Founder: Otis Chandler, Dec. 2006
--Worked as software engineer at dating site, but wanted to develop a new social networking tool that he could use
--Chandler’s philosophy (from goodreads website): I’d rather get book recommendations from my friends (rather than random person, bestseller list). The internet is a great place to do this, as more people like to go online and use social networking sites.
--It’s fun and easy to start: You can see your friends’ bookshelves. Since people flock to the internet, it’s a great way to harness their reading interests and share them with others. Also, people are more likely to post their favorite books online vs. books that weren’t as good.

Add’l information compiled from goodreads.com
--currently 1.8 million unique goodreads members
--Helps publishers (with fewer print newspapers in the world) create and look out for innovative ways to attract publicity for their books)

Competitors:
Shelfari: October 2006, bought by Amazon.com in 2008.
Library Thing: created by Tim Spalding in Portland, ME. Free way to catalog books (up to 200, then it’s paid). May 2006


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Uses of goodreads.com in the teen library/public library (teen services):

(Information compiled from teen librarians on the YALSA-BK list serv.)

This librarian adds the goodreads widget to her library’s teen services page:
http://laneteenzone.org/fairfield/

This librarian, Katie Spofford, Milford, NH, uses her personal goodreads account to filter YA book reviews to the library’s teen page:
http://wadleighya.blogspot.com/

Library media specialist Gwen Lehman at Larned High School in Kansas used goodreads with her teen student advisory council (7 students).
-Each teen has his/her own account, and they’ve all joined the group LHSTAG (private school discussion group, run by librarian). Key feedback from Gwen:

“When they signed up for goodreads, I helped them here in the library. We talked about the program, how much info. to put in their profile, accepting friends, etc. They even created their own screen name, which thrilled them to no end :-). As for computer access, they can access their accounts here at school. I also have them fill out an application for TAG Team and one of the questions relates to computer accessibility. So far, they all have access @ home, so this has not been an issue. I think they all like goodreads because they never search for a social network group like this before. When we first got started, they had never heard of LibraryThing or Shelfari. Personally, I chose goodreads because the format was easy to work with and I could access it at school (the filter did not block it). Shelfari is blocked and I didn't like the format of Library Thing, plus I could make a private group on goodread. The frequency of student use has improved, but I am still trying to find incentives for them to use it more often.”

She also says:
“My group does love to read, but they have been great at giving book suggestions and ideas to our more reluctant readers at school. It has been fun watching them blossom and feel more comfortable and confident in talking with their peers about books. I think part of this is due to the opportunity of sharing and writing reviews on goodread.”

Summary: the usage of goodreads among teen librarians is not completely widespread, and seems to depend on the individual librarian’s comfort with technology. Some of the more successful uses of goodreads seem to be using it for a teen book group (at school or the public library), and feeding goodreads book reviews to the library’s teen page.


Questions I have for the group:

--Thoughts on what the ethics are of using goodreads with teens? A couple librarians have pointed out that it’s a little weird to ask kids/teens to join and be their online “friend” on these sites. The school librarian has asked parents for their permission in advance, so they know to expect it.