R.R. Bowker Launches Non-Fiction Connection, New Readers' Advisory Tool


NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ--(Marketwire - June 21, 2007) - R.R. 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 R.R. Bowker

R.R. Bowker is the world's leading source for bibliographic information. The company provides searching, analytical, promotional, and ordering services to publishers, booksellers, libraries, and patrons through national and international brands, including: Books In Print®, Global Books In Print®, Syndetic Solutions™, Pubnet®, PubEasy®, PubTrack™ and more. In the U.S., Australia and Puerto Rico, Bowker is also the exclusive ISBN and SAN Agency and a DOI registration agency for the publishing industry. Bowker is headquartered in New Providence, New Jersey, with operations in East Grinstead, England, and Port Melbourne, Australia. For more company details, please visit www.Bowker.com.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Daryn Teague Teague Communications 661.297.5292