Visioning Vision

This week's 23 Things NB assignment involved the use of our library system's online catalogue as a ’Social Reading' resource.   Since we've been using this version of the catalogue for a bit of time, I'd already had a chance to take advantage of its features and have been a bit baffled at times by the limitations it presents.  This week's exercise did offer me a chance to dig deeper into the other features like reviewing and exploring recommendations.  I feel now comfortable enough to suggest it as a tool to library users who want to keep track of their reading and find more library material that they may find interesting.  

My own input into Vision includes a few lists, including a new one I created to reflect the tone or substance that I want to present in this blog.  The list is called Customer service recommendations for library staff members .   If you're interested in looking at my Vision activity or following me, just look for Addictedtocats under "Users".  (Yes, I had to get in some feline references!)

I have also been using Goodreads for a couple of years now and have been able to compile immense lists of books that I have read or want to read.   Goodreads can generate recommendations to further titles by analyzing the input of your lists.  This is a wonderful, though very addictive feature.  Should I stop adding titles today and just concentrate on the items in my 'to-read' list, I have enough reading material to last me 10 years, or 5 if I stop working, cooking, walking the dog and totally ignoring my husband.    I love Goodreads' scope and huge database of titles.  Also, if you click on an author's name, you get a brief biographical outline a list of the titles this writer has published.  Great when you want to peruse other titles in the series.

Comparing Vision to Goodreads is not fair, and I won't say that one is better than the other.   Both sites need a bit of commitment in adding titles to your lists regularly.  I will certainly, as a part of my duties, do my best to promote Vision to our clients, and use Goodreads as a good tool to help research and find suggestions for library users.   I also want to increase the time I spend in Vision and see if I can find it as handy and user-friendly as Goodreads.  

PS:  If you want to follow me in Goodreads, look for Joanne Brown in Moncton NB.