New Providence, N.J. - January 20, 2006 - Bowker, the world’s leading provider of bibliographic information, today announced the debut of Fiction Connection, a new readers’ advisory tool for BooksInPrint.com customers.
Fiction and biography books published in the U.S. can now be easily identified through Fiction Connection (www.FictionConnection.com), which allows patrons or librarians to search similar titles by entering the title of a book they already know they enjoy, or browsing by location, topic, character, genre, timeframe, or setting. The user will then be provided with a comprehensive list of suggested reading that has characteristics matching their original search criteria. For instance, a search of The Da Vinci Code will offer title suggestions such as The Third Secret: A Novel of Suspense, The Book of Q, and Eyes of the Virgin.
With the new Fiction Connection tool, readers can also identify popular character types and retrieve a list of books based on their selections. For example, the most popular character types in 2004 were private investigators and women sleuths, followed by vampires, journalists, serial killers, physicians, and widows.
“Popular fiction should reflect the broad diversity of U.S. life and culture,” said Gary Aiello, chief operating officer of the New Providence, N.J.-based Bowker. “We’re seeing more adult fiction published in this country than ever before. Now with Fiction Connection, readers can instantly identify books that match their interests and librarians can use Fiction Connection as a resource for guiding patrons to the perfect title.”
The technology powering Fiction Connection was developed specifically for Bowker by Netherlands-based technology company Medialab, using their Aqua Browser Software and featuring their signature word cloud. The data displayed within Fiction Connection is pulled from fiction and biography profiles developed by Syndetic Solutions, which identify key traits and characteristics that define a particular title.
Fiction Connection will now be available as a complimentary resource to all BooksInPrint.com library and bookseller customers. Links will be found on the homepages and Fiction Rooms of BooksInPrint.com and PatronBooksInPrint.com. Subscribers can also set up remote access to Fiction Connection on their website. Fiction Connection will be unveiled to the library profession at the 2006 Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association, which will be held January 20-23, 2006 in San Antonio. The system will be available for personalized demonstrations on the exhibit floor of the meeting at Booth #1403.
Books In Print database, with almost 6 million book, audiobook, and video titles, is widely regarded throughout the publishing industry as the most authoritative and comprehensive source of bibliographic data available worldwide. Books In Print was designated by Barnes & Noble, Inc., the nation’s largest bookseller, as the database of record for its stores and web site and has been a trusted source of data in North America for over 50 years.
About Bowker
Bowker is the world's leading provider of bibliographic information management solutions designed to help publishers, booksellers, and libraries better serve their customers. The company is focused on developing various tools and products that make books easier for people to discover, evaluate, order, and experience, as well as providing services to publishers that help them better understand and meet the interests of readers worldwide. Bowker is a member of the ProQuest family of companies and is headquartered in New Providence, N.J., with additional operations in England and Australia. For more information, please visit www.bowker.com.
