Last semester, one of my classmates shared a link to Lookybook, a site that puts picture books online. You can preview some relatively new titles, or view old favorites. The site also allows you to embed your selected title in a blog, website, etc. like I've done here:
(click on the "eyes" to go to a larger version of the book at Lookybook.)
The site also allows comments by registered users, and registered users may create virtual bookshelves as well. It's still in beta version right now, and I'm not sure how they plan to expand. (Although by mid-08, they want to have 1000 titles online.) However, they seem to want to use their site to promote books you might not otherwise come across. On their About page, Lookybook says, "Libraries and bookstores have limited space, so the only book covers you see are generally best sellers. But what about all of those other books—new books, obscure books, undiscovered gems that are stuck sideways on the shelf, or worse, in a warehouse somewhere. Since we have infinite shelf space, every book on Lookybook is displayed cover out and searchable by a number of different criteria." You can browse books in a number of different ways from the "tumble" feature that puts out a random selection, by author, illustrator, most viewed, and more.
Lookybook seems to be interested in marketing books and encourages authors, illustrators, and publishers to put their books online so that they can be seen by many more people (especially if the books are embedded in other websites). I think this is really interesting, given the fact that some copyright holders are afraid to place content online. (The controversy surrounding Google books is an excellent example.) The difference between Lookybook and other sites (like Amazon's preview system or Google books) is the fact that the books are actually quite small. While you can preview the entire book, you certainly wouldn't use such a small image to replace the actual book. I'd be curious to know whether any of the books on Lookybook have sold more copies because of their appearance on the site.
I also think this could be a great tool for libraries' websites. Adding previews of titles might encourage people to check out additional books. Or, create a virtual book list on your website using Lookybook titles. Right now, Lookybook doesn't have any ads, and they allow the placement of books for free for the first year. After that, they "may" charge the publisher/rights holder "an agreed upon fee" to keep the book on the site.
I am not sure how some librarians would feel about putting this content on a website. Is it promoting reading or is it promoting a certain author/publisher? Is it ok if we are promoting a publisher? How is it different to publish a list of recommended titles vs. publishing a list of recommended titles along with their previews on Lookybook? In answer to my last question, the main problem I see is the limited content - would you limit your recommendations only to titles on Lookybook? Then that's probably not in the spirit of what libraries usually do. On the other hand, you could do some previews and some "traditional" listings - but would people skip over the regular lists and just click on what almost appear to be featured titles? A tough call, but still worth investigating.
3 comments:
Janet, when I took Children's Literature, we learned about the Caldecott awards and how they influence librarian to buy the books that have won the award. For a book to win the award is a great advantage for the publisher and the author. Many people may think other books are just as good or even much better, but it's the ones that win the award that get all the publicity that goes with winning the award. So I don't think this is the first time libraries have had to deal with the question of whether or not to promote books that someone else has selected. Chosen and recommended books seem to get chosen by librarians more simply because they have been recommended. It's too bad every book isn't given a fair shake of the dice all along, but I don't see that happening.
Becky
Janet-
I had never heard of Lookybook but for awhile (until the funds were cut) I had up on our library's children's webpage was TumbleBooks http://www.tumblebooks.com/
TumbleBooks, like Lookybook, is a great site for picture books( that have sound and motion), books in French or Spanish, books for older students (Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables), just plain old un-abridge audio books, and lots of resources to aid teachers and to enrich a child's learning experience. They also have puzzles, games and quizzes that kids can do based on the books that they read or listened too.
This is such a fabulous site. It was such a hit for our patrons once it caught on. They could use it right from home, or teachers used it in their classrooms. As long as they had a library card they could access it from our website! They loved it, and it was a hard decision to cut it.
TumbleBooks is always evolving-They add new books almost weekly. This makes the site fresh and exciting for the kids! It is definitely worth your time to check it out!
(They even offer a free trial!)
Janet, I loved the concept of Lookybooks. I had not seen this before and it is certainly a wonderful resource. I am like you in wondering about th motives behind the site. It does seem to be mostly a marketing campaign to promote children's books.
There were a lot of titles I was not familiar with, but there were quite a few that I was. Little Red Riding Hood and Corduroy were there. Although my children are out of this reading type, I have fond memories of specific books. I think that Lookybooks would certainly appeal to the general population today who would be looking to select some books for their kids.
Lookybook's home page says that it doesn't "replace an actual book" but is intended to help a person "make informed choices." I think in that regard it is successful. The tiny images were a hint of the book, but certainly were not encouraging to read.
My local library offers online books that are specifically geared toward the beginning reader. Since my kids are out of this stage, I can't speak from personally using them, but I have been impressed with everything that Tumble Books offers. Its website says that it aims to teach young children "the joys of reading."
The selected book has turnable pages with highlighted phrases that are being read aloud TumbleBooks. The voice reads in an animated tone and in small enough chunks that a new reader can easily follow along.
Additionally, the child can select from French, English or Spanish which obviously would help with learning a new language or just exposure to a new language. The main menu has games as well as some other choices.
These electronic resources are wonderful additional to a home library. As we know, young children love to read their favorite books over and over again. Parents may not always be as enthusiastic or available all the time to do that. The computer wouldn't get tired of playing the same audio again and again. But as marvelous as these resources are, they can't replace the human interaction or the feel of real paper. Some of my best memories with my own children involve cuddling up on a cold day with a well loved book.
Post a Comment