A Reader-Facing Readers' Advisory Platform
Visitors to BookBrowse can see some of our content for free, but full access is only for our individual members and libraries that subscribe to provide unlimited in-library and remote access to all their patrons and staff.
BookBrowse for Libraries is a highly curated, affordable book discovery and collection development resource featuring more than 25 years of the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction — perfect for librarians, book club members, and all those who read to expand their horizons.
Exceptional books do more than just entertain, they also engage and enlighten, allowing us to step outside of ourselves. BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best of these books, and gives readers the information they need to decide which books are just right for them, including reviews; handpicked read-alikes for thousands of books and authors; browsing by genre and 100+ themes; previews of notable books publishing soon; "beyond the book" articles; our twice-monthly e-mag, and, of course, resources for book groups including online discussions, advice and 1,800+ reading guides.
Library integration includes apps for the library's website; links from each book to the relevant result in the library's OPAC; website and patron newsletter branded for the library; and BookBrowse's proprietary login system enabling direct access to any page, making possible many usage options.
Feature List
Download our brochure (please contact us if you would like print copies.)
Subscriptions
BookBrowse offers some content for free, but full access is only for individual members and patrons and staff of subscribing libraries. Subscription options
Contact, Quotes, Free Trials
If you have questions and/or would like a quote/free trial for your library, please complete the form.
Alternatively, email library(at)bookbrowse.com or call: 1-800-745-5306 x 109.
Features
Compare free vs. premium features
Reading Resources
- In-depth reviews of the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction.
- "Beyond the book" articles that explore historical, cultural or contextual aspects of each featured book. These are particularly valued by book clubs and those who read to learn new things.
- The BookBrowse Review, our twice-monthly online magazine highlighting much of the latest content (with opt-in email notifications).
- Excerpts of almost all featured books so that patrons can browse for themselves and decide which are right for them.
- Author interviews, biographies and a pronunciation guide for author names.
Book Discovery & Collection Development
- Read-Alikes — created by hand, not computer algorithm — for more than 4,500 contemporary books and 3,500 authors based on the book's story, character, setting and language. Linked book to book and author to author, both fiction and nonfiction.
- Browse and cross reference over 150 categories broken out by genre, time period, geographical setting and a wide range of themes.
- Previews of the top books publishing each month (varies by month, usually 70-100), including reviews from multiple pre-pub sources. Each review is abbreviated to the reviewer's salient opinion thus avoiding plot spoilers and repetition.
- Downloadable spreadsheets of past and upcoming books including publication date, genre, ISBN, publisher and page count, with a link to the full data on BookBrowse. Useful for collection development and for librarians wanting an "at a glance" guide to notable books recently published or publishing soon.
Resources for Book Clubs
- Book club discussions open to patrons.
- Over 1,800 reading guides for recommended books, searchable by genre and theme.
- Weekly Top 10 most popular book club reads.
- Advice on starting and running a book club supported by BookBrowse's more than 15 years of research into readers and book clubs (including our most recent report, The Inner Lives of Book Clubs).
Library Integration
- Website branding: "BookBrowse for Libraries brought to you by [Library Name]" on every page.
- Links from each book to the relevant search result in the library's OPAC (searches by title and author so displays all formats, and in the great majority of cases can be set up without any technical support from the library).
- BookBrowse supports library authentication systems such as EZ Proxy or BookBrowse can authenticate (based on standard parameters of the library's card numbers).
- Librarians can link direct to any page on BookBrowse so patrons can start browsing the relevant resource with one click. More about login-free access and direct links.
- Apps enabling patrons to browse directly from library website, no login required, including: read-alikes by title & author, weekly top reviews and articles, and top book club recommendations.
- Newsletter for patrons, branded for the library, and with direct links enabling them to start browsing featured content with one click.
Support
- A wide range of free electronic resources including graphics for social media, websites etc., and embeddable apps.
- Free print materials including posters, bookmarks, table tents and shelf talkers inserts.
- An engaging animated video to introduce patrons to BookBrowse.
- Free support for both librarians and patrons.
- Online usage stats.
