Many librarians join Shelfari to keep track of the books they have read and find new ones to read. Others use Shelfari as a tool to connect with patrons and readers in their area to discuss and recommend books. Either way, Shelfari is a great way to interact with readers outside of work and bring them to their local library.

Create a Shelfari profile. Note that you are a librarian by providing information about your library location, links to the library homepage, and maybe a profile picture of you at work. The description on the profile page should attract visitors, so make sure it’s detailed, interesting, but also playful. Personalize your bookshelf by adding your newest and favorite books. Don’t forget to write reviews for books you have read and share them with your patrons.

Connect with all Shelfari members who live in close proximity to or otherwise visit your library. Search for new friends based city, region, area, or genre. This search for Seattle yields hundreds of Shelfarians who may know your library. Join the group Libraries of America the official group for all libraries to help members find you easier. Don’t stop there, search for other groups of interest such as 50 Book Challenge!, What are you reading? or genre groups such as the YA group Twilight/New Moon Fans.

Shelfari encourages reading and sharing your thoughts on books with peers. After patrons check out books at the library, they’re on their own until they return. Patrons can use Shelfari to write reviews, discuss books with friends and fellow patrons who have read the same title, and then find a new book to read. Plus, all of your patron interactions may add to your patron assistance statistics at your library.

Anyone with an Amazon Associates ID can generate revenue through clicks on their widget. The first thing to do is join the Amazon Associate program. Then put the Amazon Associate ID given in the widget. Every time a book is purchased by clicking your Shelfari widget through to Amazon, you receive all associate revenue.

Librarians can stay in touch with patrons outside of the library. Here are a few tips:

1. Collect reviews to passively send to friends.
2. Recommend books to patrons with one click.
3. Add friends in your local city.
4. Create a Shelfari group for your library.
5. Start and facilitate local bookclubs.

Shelfari can be used by patrons to track what they’ve read and to find their next read. They can find books they like and add them to their “Reading List” shelf or “Wish List” shelf. They can then print off the list and check out your books. Patrons may also connect with other patrons and draw from their recommendations. Remember, Shelfari is free.

Join groups for librarians and add the members as friends. Discuss and recommend books to each other. Tell them all about your library and discuss your favorite books and patrons.

We would love to hear your ideas. Send us your feedback on how you use Shelfari or how you would improve the service to meet your needs better.