Fiction_L Archives Bestseller Lists(Was:Use of Amazon in RA work) Dates: 3/21/01,6:40 PM  through  3/23/01,12:19 PM  (6 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to March 2001 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: Melissa Norton <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/21/01, 6:40 PM

I agree that it can be very difficult to give good
library service when you are trying to be three people
at once (circ desk, reference, and techie). Here in
western Maine, we are inundated with international
camp counselors each summer. 99% of them are very
nice college-age persons, but some have very little
English. That and a HUGE seasonal population keep
life interesting from May to September, and special
projects are but a distant dream.

That said, what posted bestseller lists have been
useful to FICTION_L members? Currently, I post the
New York Times lists (HC & PB) and USA Today's top 50,
along with monthly acquisition lists and an Oprah
list. Publishers Weekly seems too close to NYT. Are
there better bestseller lists out there? I am not
looking for readalikes or themed lists (got that
covered in another space) with this query, just
bestsellers.
Thank you--I will be happy to compile & post
responses.
Melissa

--- Carol Elmore <[removed]@westga.edu> wrote:
> I work in a medium size library with 3 full time and
> 1 part time person to
> cover six days and two nights of reference work.
> Usually only one of us is
> at the Reference Desk at a time. I, at times, am not
> giving the best
> service I can and I am aware that I am not...I also
> am aware of the reason
> I'm not (without an evaluating service) It is
> because I am also
> responsible for overseeing 11 computers - signing
> people in, re-booting
> frozencomputers, showing people who have never used
> a computer what to do,
> helping someone use the word processers - all while
> answering reference
> questions at the Reference Desk. Personally, I think
> libraries need to
> decide if they are libraries or computer centers -
> if they are both money
> needs to be found for more staff members so we have
> time to provide good
> service to all patrons.
> Not really as disgusted as I sound...just tired.
> Carole Elmore
>
>


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Norton [removed]@bridgton.lib.me.us
Asst. Librarian & Webmaster
Bridgton Public Library http://www.bridgton.lib.me.us
65 Main St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
207-647-2472

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

FROM: "Jeanne Linn" <[removed]@libby.org>
REC'D: 3/21/01, 7:01 PM

I post the Publisher's Weekly bestsellers in my Readers Advisory Notebook,
along with the USA Today's Top 50 when I think of it. We used to post the
NY Times list when we got that newspaper, but since we quit getting the
newspaper, it seems easier to find the PW one online and get it there.
Jeanne

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Melissa Norton
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 5:29 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Bestseller Lists(Was:Use of Amazon in RA work)


I agree that it can be very difficult to give good
library service when you are trying to be three people
at once (circ desk, reference, and techie). Here in
western Maine, we are inundated with international
camp counselors each summer. 99% of them are very
nice college-age persons, but some have very little
English. That and a HUGE seasonal population keep
life interesting from May to September, and special
projects are but a distant dream.

That said, what posted bestseller lists have been
useful to FICTION_L members? Currently, I post the
New York Times lists (HC & PB) and USA Today's top 50,
along with monthly acquisition lists and an Oprah
list. Publishers Weekly seems too close to NYT. Are
there better bestseller lists out there? I am not
looking for readalikes or themed lists (got that
covered in another space) with this query, just
bestsellers.
Thank you--I will be happy to compile & post
responses.
Melissa

--- Carol Elmore <[removed]@westga.edu> wrote:
> I work in a medium size library with 3 full time and
> 1 part time person to
> cover six days and two nights of reference work.
> Usually only one of us is
> at the Reference Desk at a time. I, at times, am not
> giving the best
> service I can and I am aware that I am not...I also
> am aware of the reason
> I'm not (without an evaluating service) It is
> because I am also
> responsible for overseeing 11 computers - signing
> people in, re-booting
> frozencomputers, showing people who have never used
> a computer what to do,
> helping someone use the word processers - all while
> answering reference
> questions at the Reference Desk. Personally, I think
> libraries need to
> decide if they are libraries or computer centers -
> if they are both money
> needs to be found for more staff members so we have
> time to provide good
> service to all patrons.
> Not really as disgusted as I sound...just tired.
> Carole Elmore
>
>


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Norton [removed]@bridgton.lib.me.us
Asst. Librarian & Webmaster
Bridgton Public Library http://www.bridgton.lib.me.us
65 Main St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
207-647-2472

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/21/01, 11:25 PM

In a message dated 3/21/2001 7:32:33 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[removed]@yahoo.com writes:

<< That said, what posted bestseller lists have been
useful to FICTION_L members? Currently, I post the
New York Times lists (HC & PB) and USA Today's top 50,
along with monthly acquisition lists and an Oprah
list. Publishers Weekly seems too close to NYT. Are
there better bestseller lists out there? I am not
looking for readalikes or themed lists (got that
covered in another space) with this query, just
bestsellers.
Thank you--I will be happy to compile & post
responses. >>


For bestsellers in the romance genre, go to the Romance Writers of America
website <www.rwanational.com> and click on Bestsellers. You can access NY
Times, PW, USA Today and the Waldenbooks Romance Bestseller Lists.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: "Mary Rindfleisch" <[removed]@biblio.org>
REC'D: 3/22/01, 10:50 AM

BookSense, the independent bookseller's association's website, posts very
interesting bestseller lists which can be quite different from the
all-encompassing ratings which are driven largely by sales at the
mega-stores. Their lists (broken into trade paper, hardcover, and mass
market) also include titles "on the rise". The format of the website does
not make for easy printing and posting (because of the layout, it runs to
numerous pages in hard copy), but this list does give a good alternative to
the New York Times, with lots of book club selections and the like showing
up. I am trying to get into the habit of at least checking it myself
weekly, even if I don't print it out. The only list I post for the public
is the NY Times, because it is practically the local daily paper here in
Fairfield County, and it is invariably where patrons saw something listed
but can't remember the author, exact title, etc....

Mary Rindfleisch
Adult Services/Readers' Advisory Librarian
Ridgefield Library
472 Main St.
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: 203-438-2282
e-mail: [removed]@biblio.org

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Melissa Norton
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 7:29 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Bestseller Lists(Was:Use of Amazon in RA work)


I agree that it can be very difficult to give good
library service when you are trying to be three people
at once (circ desk, reference, and techie). Here in
western Maine, we are inundated with international
camp counselors each summer. 99% of them are very
nice college-age persons, but some have very little
English. That and a HUGE seasonal population keep
life interesting from May to September, and special
projects are but a distant dream.

That said, what posted bestseller lists have been
useful to FICTION_L members? Currently, I post the
New York Times lists (HC & PB) and USA Today's top 50,
along with monthly acquisition lists and an Oprah
list. Publishers Weekly seems too close to NYT. Are
there better bestseller lists out there? I am not
looking for readalikes or themed lists (got that
covered in another space) with this query, just
bestsellers.
Thank you--I will be happy to compile & post
responses.
Melissa

--- Carol Elmore <[removed]@westga.edu> wrote:
> I work in a medium size library with 3 full time and
> 1 part time person to
> cover six days and two nights of reference work.
> Usually only one of us is
> at the Reference Desk at a time. I, at times, am not
> giving the best
> service I can and I am aware that I am not...I also
> am aware of the reason
> I'm not (without an evaluating service) It is
> because I am also
> responsible for overseeing 11 computers - signing
> people in, re-booting
> frozencomputers, showing people who have never used
> a computer what to do,
> helping someone use the word processers - all while
> answering reference
> questions at the Reference Desk. Personally, I think
> libraries need to
> decide if they are libraries or computer centers -
> if they are both money
> needs to be found for more staff members so we have
> time to provide good
> service to all patrons.
> Not really as disgusted as I sound...just tired.
> Carole Elmore
>
>


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Norton [removed]@bridgton.lib.me.us
Asst. Librarian & Webmaster
Bridgton Public Library http://www.bridgton.lib.me.us
65 Main St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
207-647-2472

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

FROM: "Jeanne Linn" <[removed]@libby.org>
REC'D: 3/22/01, 11:00 AM

Thanks Mary, I didn't know about this website! Jeanne


-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Mary Rindfleisch
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 9:34 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Bestseller Lists(Was:Use of Amazon in RA work)


BookSense, the independent bookseller's association's website, posts very
interesting bestseller lists which can be quite different from the
all-encompassing ratings which are driven largely by sales at the
mega-stores. Their lists (broken into trade paper, hardcover, and mass
market) also include titles "on the rise". The format of the website does
not make for easy printing and posting (because of the layout, it runs to
numerous pages in hard copy), but this list does give a good alternative to
the New York Times, with lots of book club selections and the like showing
up. I am trying to get into the habit of at least checking it myself
weekly, even if I don't print it out. The only list I post for the public
is the NY Times, because it is practically the local daily paper here in
Fairfield County, and it is invariably where patrons saw something listed
but can't remember the author, exact title, etc....

Mary Rindfleisch
Adult Services/Readers' Advisory Librarian
Ridgefield Library
472 Main St.
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: 203-438-2282
e-mail: [removed]@biblio.org

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Melissa Norton
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 7:29 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Bestseller Lists(Was:Use of Amazon in RA work)


I agree that it can be very difficult to give good
library service when you are trying to be three people
at once (circ desk, reference, and techie). Here in
western Maine, we are inundated with international
camp counselors each summer. 99% of them are very
nice college-age persons, but some have very little
English. That and a HUGE seasonal population keep
life interesting from May to September, and special
projects are but a distant dream.

That said, what posted bestseller lists have been
useful to FICTION_L members? Currently, I post the
New York Times lists (HC & PB) and USA Today's top 50,
along with monthly acquisition lists and an Oprah
list. Publishers Weekly seems too close to NYT. Are
there better bestseller lists out there? I am not
looking for readalikes or themed lists (got that
covered in another space) with this query, just
bestsellers.
Thank you--I will be happy to compile & post
responses.
Melissa

--- Carol Elmore <[removed]@westga.edu> wrote:
> I work in a medium size library with 3 full time and
> 1 part time person to
> cover six days and two nights of reference work.
> Usually only one of us is
> at the Reference Desk at a time. I, at times, am not
> giving the best
> service I can and I am aware that I am not...I also
> am aware of the reason
> I'm not (without an evaluating service) It is
> because I am also
> responsible for overseeing 11 computers - signing
> people in, re-booting
> frozencomputers, showing people who have never used
> a computer what to do,
> helping someone use the word processers - all while
> answering reference
> questions at the Reference Desk. Personally, I think
> libraries need to
> decide if they are libraries or computer centers -
> if they are both money
> needs to be found for more staff members so we have
> time to provide good
> service to all patrons.
> Not really as disgusted as I sound...just tired.
> Carole Elmore
>
>


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Norton [removed]@bridgton.lib.me.us
Asst. Librarian & Webmaster
Bridgton Public Library http://www.bridgton.lib.me.us
65 Main St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
207-647-2472

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

FROM: Robin Harwood <[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/23/01, 12:19 PM

Bookmark/booklist displays at the desk are a good way to help people even
while you're answering five other questions or off fixing the printer.
Robin Harwood
Carol Stream PL

-----Original Message-----
From: Melissa Norton [[removed]@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 6:29 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Bestseller Lists(Was:Use of Amazon in RA work)

I agree that it can be very difficult to give good
library service when you are trying to be three people
at once (circ desk, reference, and techie). Here in
western Maine, we are inundated with international
camp counselors each summer. 99% of them are very
nice college-age persons, but some have very little
English. That and a HUGE seasonal population keep
life interesting from May to September, and special
projects are but a distant dream.

That said, what posted bestseller lists have been
useful to FICTION_L members? Currently, I post the
New York Times lists (HC & PB) and USA Today's top 50,
along with monthly acquisition lists and an Oprah
list. Publishers Weekly seems too close to NYT. Are
there better bestseller lists out there? I am not
looking for readalikes or themed lists (got that
covered in another space) with this query, just
bestsellers.
Thank you--I will be happy to compile & post
responses.
Melissa

--- Carol Elmore <[removed]@westga.edu> wrote:
> I work in a medium size library with 3 full time and
> 1 part time person to
> cover six days and two nights of reference work.
> Usually only one of us is
> at the Reference Desk at a time. I, at times, am not
> giving the best
> service I can and I am aware that I am not...I also
> am aware of the reason
> I'm not (without an evaluating service) It is
> because I am also
> responsible for overseeing 11 computers - signing
> people in, re-booting
> frozencomputers, showing people who have never used
> a computer what to do,
> helping someone use the word processers - all while
> answering reference
> questions at the Reference Desk. Personally, I think
> libraries need to
> decide if they are libraries or computer centers -
> if they are both money
> needs to be found for more staff members so we have
> time to provide good
> service to all patrons.
> Not really as disgusted as I sound...just tired.
> Carole Elmore
>
>


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Norton [removed]@bridgton.lib.me.us
Asst. Librarian & Webmaster
Bridgton Public Library http://www.bridgton.lib.me.us
65 Main St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
207-647-2472

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

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