Advising patrons on their next great read is one of the most important services libraries can provide. Reader's advisory (RA) is the art of matching up patrons with books they might like to read based on what they have enjoyed reading in the past. One of the best means to provide successful RA is to read widely yourself. However, that isn't always possible and there are a variety of print and online tools that staff can use to assist with RA services.

Parkland subscribes to the following online reader's advisory tools:

• Fiction Connection
• Novelist

These two databases are accessible to staff and patrons from any internet computer on the Services> eLibrary web page or through the eLibrary tab in the PRL catalogue.

Whichbook provides a unique interface to finding new reads using sliding scales of story characteristics, such as safe vs disturbing, easy vs demanding, or even short vs long.

Online communities based around reading can be used as reading resources. Some of these are:

• LibraryThing
• Goodreads
• TheReadingRoom

There are many useful web sites that have book lists and other reader's advisory tools. Check out:

• Fantastic Fiction has bibliographies for over 15,000 authors.
• Multnomah County Library has a large selection of book lists for all ages.
• See me 4 books includes best books for young adults and other great titles.
• Monroe County Public Library provides a wide selection of childrens book lists.
• Crime fiction: Around the world in 80 sleuths has a unique twist for mystery lovers.
• Smart Bitches, Trashy Books is one of the largest online communities of romance readers.