Finding a Good Book

Workshop handout

Presented by
Paul Bareno and Linda Griffin, Literature Section
San Diego Public Library

[Editorial Note: The database "What Do I Read Next?" is no longer available at SDPL. This document remains online as an archival and historical record, and the other information remains relevant.]

This Internet Subject Training session will give you the navigation skills in your use of an online reader's advisory database called What Do I Read Next? that is part of the electronic databases offered to users of the San Diego Public Library.

What Do I Read Next? Database
--a product of The Gale Group--

What is it? - A database which can be used as a guide to suggested reading by genre, theme, and awards. Currently, it is also a database with a focus on works of fiction. For more information about this database, go to the "Help" page and then select the About button on the left-hand side of the page.

Who are they? (Gale Group) - Established in 1954, Gale Group is now owned by the Thomson Corporation. Gale Group publishes for libraries, schools and businesses, and is known for its accurate and authoritative reference content. For more information, go to http://www.galegroup.com/about

Access - Available to you through the San Diego Public Library at the Central Library or any of our 34 branches, or, remotely via the SDPL Homepage at http://www.sandiegolibrary.org.

To quickly enter the SDPL Catalog & Databases' page, to use our Library catalog and databases remotely, go to http://www.sandiegolibrary.org.

Remote access to all databases requires your having a valid SDPL library card and PIN.

Using What Do I Read Next?

Welcome page

The Welcome page includes these items: "[Month] Highlights," "New & Notable," "Spotlight On ...," "And the Winner Is," "Seasonal Suggestions," and "Bookmarks."
You can use the blue "Click here" hypertext link at the top of the page, or click the "New Search" button to go to the Main Menu screen to begin a search.

Main Menu & General Tips

Seven Ways to Search - "Author," "Title," "Custom," "Help Me Find a Book," "Genre," "Award Winners and Top Picks," and "Who?, What?, When?, Where?"
"Help" button: (left-hand side of Main Menu screen) - As a new user of this database, we recommend that you click on the Help button. Not only will you get clarification for all the different types of searches used in the database, but from the Help page you can click on the "About" and ASearch Tips" buttons.
"About" button - Note the "About" button on the left-hand side of the Help screen in order to find more information about this database such as the scope of coverage, information about Gale's subject experts, and more.
"Search Tips" button - Rarely will your search necessitate the use of the "Search Tips" page. Almost exclusively, the tips below should be enough for you to effectively utilize this database in locating desirable titles.

Search Tips in "How to Find a Good Book"

General
- Note the top of the banner where you may choose to limit your search by reading audience, fiction or nonfiction. The default is to search ALL categories; uncheck one or more categories to narrow your search: "Adults," "Young Adults," "Children," "Fiction," "Nonfiction." Any changes here will remain until YOU recheck the box(es) or exit to the Welcome Page.
- The Main Menu, Help, Search, and Revise Search buttons will always be available on the left-hand side of the screen throughout your search session.
- "Number of results per page" option - For the convenience of seeing all your results on one page, choose "100" from the drop-down menu. Once changed, this will remain the same throughout your session unless YOU change it. Exiting to the Welcome Page will also clear the option chosen, giving you the default number of results per page, which is 10.
- Clear Form button - A handy button to quickly clear all search boxes at once, thereby allowing you to begin your search again.
- For locating quality and popular works of nonfiction, utilize bestseller, awards, library, and expert lists.
"Author Search" Tips - "Start of Last Name" search requires the use of a comma after the last name, e. g. "binchy, maeve". Truncation of a last name or full name is okay. In a "Name contains" search, first, middle, or surname may entered in any order. However, truncation is not allowed.
"Title Search" Tips
- Note that the default for a title or series search allows for a simple keyword or phrase of the title or series that you are searching for. This word or phrase search is recommended.
- When doing an "Exact series name" search, the word "series" must be used, e.g. In the search box, enter "inspector morse series" not "inspector morse."
"Custom Search" Tips - Choose as few fields as possible when doing this type of search.
"Help Me Find a Book" Search Tips - (1) Type in a title you've enjoyed; you may truncate. (2) Click on the author/title hypertext link. (3) Check the boxes of your choice and click the Search button.
"Genre Search" Tips - Choose/search only ONE genre.
"Award Winners and Top Picks" Search Tips -You may make a choice from each of the four list types.
"Who? What? Where? When?" Search Tips - Begin by choosing two or three of four fields when limiting your search.

Additional Class Links

General:
http://www.bookspot.com - awards, reviews, bestsellers, what to read next
http://www.bookwire.com - many good links

To buy a book:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com (includes reviews, excerpts of reviews, and links to similar titles)
Barnes and Noble - http://www.bn.com (includes reviews, excerpts of reviews, and links to similar titles)

Reader's Advisory:
Davenport Public Library (Iowa) - "Booktalking," a bi-monthly Readers Advisor newsletter
http://www.mysteries.com
http://www.likesbooks.com - for romances
http://www.romantictimes.com
http://www.sfbook.com - for science fiction
http://www.locusmag.com - science fiction

Workshop handout