Published: September 11, 2008 09:21 am      

Online program available at Brehm Memorial Library

By VANESSA WELCH

vanessa.welch@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Bookworms of all ages now have access to DearReader, a free online program being offered through the C.E. Brehm Memorial Public Library.

DearReader allows users to join book clubs, receive newsletters and utilize online resources to find books of interest. Although books must be checked out with a library card, readers only need their personal e-mail address to begin using the program, head librarian Marilyn Konold said.

The first service, Online Book Clubs, allows users to learn more about books in different categories without having to read them cover to cover. Many of the books have been published within the last one and a half years.

“There are 11 different clubs people can sign up for,” Konold said. “Each Monday, they start with a new book in each genre by sending a five minute selection to your e-mail address. You can sample a couple of chapters, and by the end of the week, if you decide it’s something you’d like to read, you can put a hold on it with your library card. It’s a good way to try various books without spending that much time.”

Book club participants can choose from various categories including fiction, business, science fiction, audio, nonfiction, romance, mystery, pre-publication, teen, good news and horror.

Konold said users can also sign up for Authorbuzz, an interactive club where readers communicate with featured authors.

“For a week, you can talk to one author about their life or their writings in each book category you sign up for,” Konold said. “Even if you don’t ask a question, you can see other questions people have asked and how the author has responded to those comments.”

In the BookNews section of DearReader, users can also sign up for newsletters which feature newer books in categories ranging from home and garden to classics. In this area, Konold said adult users will also find award lists and best-sellers for their age level along with others for children and teenagers.

“No matter what aged child you have, there’s something you’d be interested in,” Konold said.

People may also view thousands of author’s Web pages who are listed alphabetically by name, Konold added. Individuals may learn more about their favorite authors by browsing through their published works and biographical information.

Under Next Good Book, readers are able to find out about books they are interested in by viewing other users’ book reviews. They may also add their own comments according to Konold. Users can find books similar to their favorite books by using the suggest function as well.

Readers have the option to create public or private online bookshelves for their favorite books, books they have already read and books they would like to read.

Konold said if a reader finds a book they are interested in, they are able to locate the book in the program and find out if it is available through the library system.

“In the future, if someone would like to check out a book but it’s not in the system, we’re going to have an e-mail address so that people can write and tell us ‘This book really sounded good, would you consider buying it?’” Konold said.

To learn more or to start using DearReader, visit http://www.mtvbrehm.lib.il.us/ and click on the DearReader icon.