Task #11 LibraryThing

Have just accessed the LibraryThing web site, created an account and have a bit of a look around.  Personally this isn't a service that I can see a great deal of use for in my daily life, though having a historian for a mother I can see a great deal of value in this site in her line of work.

I have also taken the opportunity to have a look at the Yarra Plenty website as recommended in Dione's email this week.  The visual format of profiling books and including a range of recommended texts, as well as the "comment" capability for users is probably more user friendly for the age group that I teach.  I realise that the Library Thing website is similar; however, for a primary student, navigation is a little more complicated and they have to some idea of what they are looking for.  The Yarra Plenty format, is more like the experience they have browsing the books on the shelf - definitely more visual!  I also love the fact that they can create their own 'book shelf' to keep track of the names of titles that they may wish to consider in the future, it is very in tune with the often random way in which young teens often approach reading - "You know that book I was looking at last week with the skateboard and the guy with the hat on".  A much easier way to help them find the titles that so often as so abstract in their description!

In short, from my stand point - the LibraryThing is definitely set up for the serious adult reader, where as the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Website has great visual appeal and is very user friendly for both a younger age group and those in need of inspiration and guidance in developing their love of reading!  After all it is a tough market place out there for the old book and it needs all the help it can get, especially if you are an eleven or twelve year old, the target age group of the students I teach!