New Providence, N.J. - June 20, 2007 - Bowker, the global leader in bibliographic information management, today announced the launch of Non-Fiction Connection, the library industry’s first comprehensive readers’ advisory tool for non-fiction titles.

The new electronic offering allows library patrons to find non-fiction titles based on books they have already read. Users simply log on to the subscription-only service, enter the title of a book they already know they enjoy, and search for similar books from Bowker’s non-fiction database. Using the browse feature, users can locate books within various narrative non-fiction genres, such as true crime, travel, history, food, animals, politics and biographies.

The product, which is also a valuable tool for use by customers in retail bookstores, will be introduced to the library profession this week at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Meeting. The event takes place June 21-27 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Non-Fiction Connection is modeled after Fiction Connection, Bowker’s highly successful readers’ advisory tool for fiction titles that was honored by The Charleston Advisor last fall as the “Best Interface” for electronic services of interest to libraries.

“Non-Fiction Connection fills a glaring void in the library marketplace for readers’ advisory tools by allowing patrons to search a combined database of both fiction and non-fiction titles with the option of searching one or both catalogs,” said Melissa Kuzma, MLS, product manager at R.R. Bowker. "This new tool provides users with a synopsis of each book, relevant book reviews from independent sources such as Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, a list of any awards the book has earned, excerpts from the book and even images from the cover.”

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.