Henrico Library system introduces 'Custom Book Lists for Kids'

Henrico County Public Library has introduced "Custom Book Lists for Kids," an online book recommendation service for children and their parents.  The service allows parents and caregivers to fill out an online form to receive personalized book recommendations from HCPL librarians within one week.

The Custom Book Lists curated by HCPL librarians will contain links to the library’s catalog, where users can place items on hold, meaning patrons will not need to make a trip to the library until their book is available. E-book and E-audiobook users can get expert recommendations and start reading anywhere they have an internet connection.

While HCPL anticipates getting requests mainly from parents and caregivers who are seeking a little help finding books for their children, the library also welcomes kid-initiated requests. Librarians are launching this service in anticipation of the holidays, when families may need to stock up on reading materials for trips and entertainment on winter break days. HCPL debuted online book recommendations two years ago with the Teen 3 Books 4 Me service, and began offering Custom Book Lists for Adults last spring.  Custom Book Lists for Kids incorporates new features designed to best serve children and their caregivers. For example, it focuses on making recommendations based on developmentally appropriate practices. The online form asks questions about the particular child’s age, grade, and interest in order to identify books that will be appropriate for their reading level. Librarians understand and are trained to work with the great variety in reading ability among children, and HCPL staff members will work to match each child with books they can enjoy.

Custom Book Lists for Kids also aims to find materials suitable for reluctant readers, according to library officials. The online form for Custom Book Lists for Kids includes a section through which parents whose children do not like to read, or do not read often, can list their child’s favorite TV shows, movies, hobbies and interests so that librarians can make suggestions for engaging reading materials.

Parents and caregivers may use the service to get book ideas to share with their children without traveling to the library. Helping reluctant readers develop an interest in reading is a key focus of the program.

Custom Book Lists for Kids is intended to help children from birth to grade 5 expand their love of books and reading with fun recommendations, matching the individual child with a personalized list of books. If a child needs help finding books for a homework assignment, or if a teacher needs help finding books for the classroom, a phone call or visit to the library is more appropriate, library officials said.

Custom Book Lists for Kids is available at www.henricolibrary.org/recommendations.